SCIO briefing on development of industry and information technology in H1 2025

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Read in Chinese

Speakers:

Mr. Xie Shaofeng, chief engineer of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT)

Ms. Tao Qing, spokesperson of the MIIT and director general of the Bureau of Operation Monitoring and Coordination of the MIIT

Mr. Xie Cun, director general of the Information and Communications Development Department of the MIIT

Chairperson:

Mr. Zhou Jianshe, deputy director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO

Date:

July 18, 2025

Zhou Jianshe:

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to this press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO). Today's conference is a routine release of economic data. We have invited Mr. Xie Shaofeng, chief engineer of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), to brief you on China's development of industry and information technology in the first half of 2025 and take your questions. Also joining us today are Ms. Tao Qing, spokesperson of the MIIT and director general of the Bureau of Operation Monitoring and Coordination of the MIIT; and Mr. Xie Cun, director general of the Information and Communications Development Department of the MIIT.

Now, I'll give the floor to Mr. Xie for his introduction.

Xie Shaofeng:

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. First, I would like to thank you for your continued interest in and support for the development of the industry and information technology sector. In the first half of this year, faced with a more severe and complex external environment, under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the industrial and information technology system earnestly implemented the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. Upholding the general principle of pursuing progress while maintaining stability, we have focused on implementing the requirements of stabilizing employment, supporting enterprises, ensuring smooth market operations and strengthening expectations. We have focused on central-local governmental coordination, enhanced inter-departmental collaboration and government-enterprise cooperation. The development of industry and information technology has maintained a sound momentum. New-type industrialization is accelerating, innovation vitality among enterprises continues to be released, and high-quality development has achieved solid results. The sector is moving toward stability, innovation and excellence, laying a solid foundation for achieving the annual targets. Specifically, there are three features.

First, the industrial and information technology sectors have maintained stable operations. Key economic indicators have grown steadily in terms of both scale and growth. In the first half of the year, the added value of industries above designated size increased by 6.4% year on year, showing strong resilience based on a good start in the first quarter. The added value of the manufacturing industry accounted for 25.7% of GDP, remaining largely stable. We accelerated the construction of major engineering projects under the 14th Five-Year Plan, launched large-scale equipment renewal and technological transformation in the manufacturing industry, and saw a 7.5% year on year increase in manufacturing investment. We have strengthened the implementation of enterprise-support policies, cultivated high-quality enterprises and provided assistance to enterprises in difficulty. Market entities have further expanded. In the first five months, the number of industrial enterprises above designated size reached 520,000, an increase of more than 8,000 compared to the end of last year. Profits of manufacturing enterprises above designated size increased by 5.4% year on year. Digital technologies such as 5G and large AI models have developed rapidly. The digital industry's business revenue increased 9.3% year on year, which was 3.4 percentage points higher than the same period last year.

Second, the integration of scientific and industrial innovation has accelerated. We have firmly prioritized high-quality development and new-type industrialization, and promoted the integrated development of all aspects in industrial and information work. We have enhanced innovation and development through integration, continuously fostering new momentum and advantages for development. Innovative applications are being implemented more rapidly. The independently developed AG600 large amphibious firefighting aircraft received its type certificate and production certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China. Humanoid robot training centers and datasets are now in operation, with over 5.5 million open-source training data entries being released to accelerate multi-sector applications. Production of industrial and service robots increased by 35.6% and 25.5% year on year, respectively. The scale of the transformation of sci-tech achievements continues to grow. In the first half of the year, nearly 410,000 technology contracts were registered nationwide, with transaction value exceeding 3 trillion yuan, a 14.2% year on year increase. The construction of industrial innovation platforms continues to advance. By the end of June, a total of 33 national-level manufacturing innovation centers had been established, and 241 pilot platforms had been included in the key cultivation bases. China's domestically developed and open-source large AI models are increasingly being applied in industries such as electronics, raw materials and consumer goods, giving rise to new models and business formats. Over 100 types of AI-powered devices — such as AI smartphones, AI computers and AI glasses — have been launched, becoming new drivers of economic growth.

Third, industrial transformation and upgrading has accelerated. We are actively optimizing industrial structures and promoting high-end industry development. In the first half of the year, the added value of equipment manufacturing enterprises above designated size contributed 3.4 percentage points to the overall growth of industrial value-added, accounting for 35.5%, which was a 0.9 percentage point increase year on year. The added value of high-tech manufacturing industries above designated size increased by 9.5% year on year, contributing 23.3% to the overall growth of industries above designated size. Digital transformation is gaining momentum. We designated 26 new pilot cities for new-generation technical transformation in the manufacturing industry and supported 35 more cities in launching digital transformation initiatives for SMEs. Digitalization initiatives have been accelerated in industries such as electronic information, power equipment, light industry, petrochemicals, steel, nonferrous metals and building materials. Industrial green and low-carbon development continues to yield tangible results. Green development is cultivating new growth drivers, with green factories at the national level now accounting for over 20% of total manufacturing output. Energy consumption per unit of industrial added value continues to decline. Positive progress has also been made in industry governance. Seventeen automobile manufacturers have committed to limiting payment terms to no more than 60 days. Profitability has improved in the steel and cement industries. The photovoltaic industry is also witnessing steady improvements in overall technological standards.

Currently, external conditions have become more complex and uncertain, structural contradictions within certain industries have become more pronounced, and some enterprises continue to face operational and production difficulties. However, we must also recognize that various supportive policies are continuing to take effect and reform measures are being rolled out at an accelerated pace. As a result, the certainty in China's high-quality economic development is steadily strengthening, and the fundamentals supporting a stable industrial economy remain unchanged. Moving forward, we will resolutely implement the decisions and directives of the CPC Central Committee, adhere to a people-centered approach, and focus on doing our own work well. We will ensure the stable operation of the industrial economy and earnestly promote the integrated development of scientific and technological innovation with industrial innovation. We will also advance the construction of a unified national market and facilitate the optimization and upgrading of the industrial structure. We will enhance the resilience and security of industrial and supply chains. Using market-oriented thinking and rule-of-law principles, we will strengthen industry governance and accelerate the orderly withdrawal of outdated production capacity. Furthermore, we will continuously improve the quality and efficiency of the industrial economy to make greater contributions to promoting economic recovery and growth and achieving high-quality completion of annual targets and tasks.

That concludes my introduction. Next, my colleagues and I will be happy to take your questions. Thank you.

Zhou Jianshe:

Thanks, Mr. Xie, for your introduction. The floor is now open for questions. Please identify the media outlet you represent before asking your question.