China Premier Li Qiang urges deeper AI-manufacturing integration

The National Advanced Manufacturing Conference was held in Beijing from September 16 to 17. The meeting conveyed important instructions from Xi Jinping, and Li Qiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Premier of the State Council, attended and delivered a speech.

Li said efforts should focus on key areas with integrated measures and targeted policies to improve the innovation, competitiveness and overall strength of advanced manufacturing. He stressed the need to build an innovation engine for industry, reinforce basic research, make breakthroughs in key core technologies, and deepen the application of scientific and technological achievements.

He also called for accelerating scaled application of emerging industries, strengthening forward-looking deployment of future industries, and promoting the upgrading of traditional industries. An in-depth “AI + manufacturing” initiative should be carried out, with stronger guidance and support for enterprises’ digital-intelligent transformation and a solid foundation for intelligent software and hardware.

Li also urged deeper integration of advanced manufacturing with modern services and innovative development of service-oriented manufacturing. Advanced manufacturing clusters should be fostered according to local conditions and upgraded in a classified and tiered manner. He stressed deepening reform and opening-up, strengthening the principal role of enterprises, improving policy and factor supply, and creating a sound environment to boost the vitality of advanced manufacturing.