World Manufacturing Convention showcases Anhui's industrial growth

The 2026 World Manufacturing Convention opened Sunday in Hefei, Anhui province. 

The 2026 World Manufacturing Convention opens in Hefei, Anhui province, Sunday. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

With the U.K. as the country of honor, this year's event features a strong international presence, drawing over 1,000 heavyweight guests and 500 foreign delegates. More than 40 companies from countries including the U.S., France, and Russia are exhibiting, supported by matchmaking events like the China-Europe and China-France industrial cooperation dialogues.

While the 2025 event secured 735 projects worth 380.2 billion yuan ($56.78 billion), the 2026 edition has identified 946 potential cooperation projects with a total investment exceeding 400 billion yuan.

Specialized events on unmanned systems, smart sensors, and scenario applications will take stage at this convention. Strategic emerging industries now account for 46.1% of Anhui's total industrial output. During the first seven months of the year, the production of new energy vehicles, integrated circuits, and robotics increased by 27.5%, 28.6%, and 32.8%, respectively. 

The convention will release the "Manufacturing Digital and Intelligent Transformation Capability Level (2026) " report. 

Since its inception in 2018, this annual event has served as a critical platform for Anhui to connect with global resources and showcase its scientific innovation and industrial power.

Anhui has been a pacesetter in the manufacturing sector, with its high-quality manufacturing index rising from seventh nationally in 2020 to fifth place currently. Through July this year, the value-added of industrial enterprises grew 12.7% year on year, hitting a 58-month high. Industrial profits also surged 63.5% to 195.9 billion yuan, ranking sixth in China.