Solid Progress in New Industrialization and Growing Impetus for New Quality Productive Forces

Solid Progress in New Industrialization and Growing Impetus for New Quality Productive Forces

—Series Report X on Achievements in Economic and Social Development during the 14th Five-Year Plan Period

The National Bureau of Statistics, June 4, 2026

Achieving new industrialization is the key to building a great country and advance national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese path to modernization. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, facing complex changes in the domestic and international economic environment, and under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China’s industrial economy pressed ahead against headwinds, moving toward a new and higher-quality structure. Solid steps were taken in the process of new industrialization and in building China’s strength in manufacturing, with remarkable achievements accomplished. The cultivation of new quality productive forces in the industrial sector accelerated, demonstrating a trend toward intelligent, green, and integrated development. This became a significant driver of high-quality economic and social development, providing solid support for enhancing the nation’s economic strength, comprehensive national power, and the quality of life and living standards of the people.

I. Solid Progress in Building a Manufacturing Powerhouse with Globally Leading Output Scale

(I) Steady Growth in Industrial Production, Strongly Supporting the Overall Economy

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, industrial production made steady progress with improved quality and efficiency. The total value added of the industrial sector reached new heights in successive years, with stable growth rates, highlighting its role as a “ballast stone” and providing strong support for the stable performance of China’s economy. The total industrial value added increased from RMB 31.1 trillion in 2020 to RMB 41.7 trillion in 2025, and the manufacturing value added grew from RMB 26.5 trillion to RMB 34.7 trillion. From 2021 to 2025, the value added of industrial enterprises above designated size grew at an average annual rate of 5.9% ^[1]. By sector, the value added of mining enterprises above designated size grew at an average annual rate of 4.7%, manufacturing at 6.0%, and the production and supply of electricity, heat, gas, and water at 5.6%. By type of ownership, the value added of state-controlled enterprises above designated size grew at an average annual rate of 5.0%; share-holding enterprises at 6.4%; enterprises with investment from foreign investors, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan at 3.4%; and private enterprises at 5.3%.

(II) Sustained Global Leadership in Manufacturing Scale with a Dominant Global Share

Manufacturing is the lifeblood of China’s economy, a key pillar in building a modern economic system and a strong modern socialist country, and a major contributor to the stability of global industrial and supply chains. According to World Bank statistics, during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China’s manufacturing value added accounted for over 28.0% of the global total, ranking first in the world for 16 consecutive years. A recent report by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization stated that China’s “Five-Year Plans” have formed a unique and effective model for developing new infrastructure, achieving systematic industrial upgrading; China’s Belt and Road Initiative has also demonstrated the role of international infrastructure investment in promoting economic integration and tapping into future demand potential.

(III) Strong Product Supply Capacity with Consecutive Breakthroughs in National Pillar Equipment

Relying on a complete industrial chain system and continuously enhanced technological innovation capabilities, China’s industrial product supply capacity continued to improve. A number of major national strategic equipment and iconic products representing national strength and international advanced levels emerged in succession, vividly illustrating “Made in China” advancing toward the high end. China’s system integration capability of high-end transportation equipment advanced to the forefront globally. The 600 km/h high-speed maglev system rolled off the production line, once again raising the bar for “China Speed,” as the operating mileage of high-speed rail continued to expand. The C919 large passenger aircraft completed its commercial maiden flight, marking a historic breakthrough in China’s domestically produced commercial aircraft lineup and officially entering the global civil aviation market. Comprehensive breakthroughs were achieved in high-end ship types for marine equipment, with civil steel ship output growing at an average annual rate of 13.7% from 2021 to 2025. The three major indicators of the shipbuilding industry—accomplished shipbuilding output, new orders, and hand-held orders—accounted for 56.1%, 69.0%, and 66.8% ^[2] of the global market share in 2025, all ranking first in the world. The construction capacity for high-end ship types such as large liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers and ultra-large container ships improved significantly. The cruise ship “Adora Magic City” was completed and put into operation, marking China’s mastery of all “crown jewels of the shipbuilding industry.” China’s installed and operational level of power equipment remained globally leading, with generator set (power generation equipment) output rising from 130 million kilowatts in 2020 to 370 million kilowatts in 2025. The third-generation nuclear power unit “Hualong One” entered commercial operation, the million-kilowatt-class hydroelectric generating units at the Baihetan Hydropower Station were connected to the grid for power generation, ultra-high voltage transmission projects built a major energy artery spanning the country from east to west and north to south, the world’s first 16-megawatt offshore wind turbine was connected to the grid for power generation ^[3], and the 26-megawatt offshore wind turbine set a new record ^[4], providing key equipment support for the global green energy transition.

II. Echeloned Breakthroughs Made in Industrial Upgrading and Notable Vitality Shown in Structural Optimization

(I) Transformation and Upgrading of Traditional Industries, Consolidating Advantages in Quality and Efficiency Improvement

The pace of transformation and upgrading in traditional industries accelerated, with improvements in product mix, production process innovation, and industry concentration. Innovation capacity improved, and high-end supply capacity grew stronger. In the steel industry, China achieved independent control over key varieties such as high-quality special steel, special alloy steel for high-end equipment, and steel for core basic components. Products such as high-speed rails, high-strength automotive steel, and electrical steel became more internationally competitive, with the proportion of mid-to-high-end products continuously rising. For example, China’s hot-rolled sheet output grew at an average annual rate of 35.7% from 2021 to 2025, reaching 25.26 million tons in 2025. In the materials industry, green and environmentally friendly products grew rapidly. From 2021 to 2025, output of ultra-white glass, monocrystalline silicon, and polycrystalline silicon for the solar industry grew at average annual rates of 87.8%, 34.1%, and 37.2%, respectively, all achieving double-digit growth. New materials continued to emerge, with output of high-performance chemical fibers and carbon fiber and composite materials growing at average annual rates of 40.5% and 42.6%, respectively. In the chemical industry, the level of independent and controllable capabilities continued to increase, with a rising share of high-end products such as new chemical materials, high-end fine chemicals, and biochemical products. From 2021 to 2025, output of ABS resin, polycarbonate, and ethylene glycol grew at average annual rates of 12.5%, 22.7%, and 17.4%, respectively. The empowerment of technology was further deepened, with key industrial internet platforms connecting over 100 million devices and digitalization sweeping across all industries. Basic-level smart factories laid a solid base for transformation, while excellence-level smart factories offered benchmarks and guidance ^[5].

(II) Favorable Growth Momentum in Emerging Fields and Accelerated Shaping of New Industrial Drivers

From 2021 to 2025, the value added of high-tech manufacturing and equipment manufacturing enterprises above designated size grew at an average annual rate of 9.2% and 8.4%, respectively, exceeding the average annual growth rate of industrial enterprises above designated size by 3.3 and 2.5 percentage points. New energy vehicles achieved leapfrog development. Their output increased from 1.46 million units in 2020 to 16.52 million units in 2025, ranking first in the world for 11 consecutive years. The penetration rate of new energy vehicles in the domestic market continued to rise. Charging infrastructure was simultaneously improved, with charging pile output rising from 433,000 units in 2020 to 5.745 million units in 2025, growing at an average annual rate of 67.7% from 2021 to 2025, forming the world’s largest and most extensive charging network. The next-generation information technology industry achieved a leap in its capability level. The scale of the integrated circuit industry continued to expand, with output increasing from 261.4 billion units in 2020 to 484.3 billion units in 2025. Coordinated breakthroughs were accelerated across the entire industrial chain of chip design, manufacturing, packaging and testing, equipment, and materials. The new display industry emerged as the world’s largest, with products such as LCD panels, flexible OLEDs, and Micro-LEDs growing stronger in competitiveness. The advantages of communication equipment manufacturing were consolidated, with the localization rate of key components such as 5G base station core chips, RF front-ends, and optical communication modules significantly improved. The application scenarios of industrial robots expanded rapidly, with output rising from 218,000 units in 2020 to 773,000 units in 2025, and applications extending from traditional welding, painting, and handling to high-end links such as precision assembly, grinding and polishing, and quality inspection, injecting strong momentum into the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry. The additive manufacturing (3D printing) industry embarked on a trajectory of accelerated growth. Its core technologies and equipment attained internationally advanced standards, with large-scale deployment in sectors including aerospace and biomedicine. Output of 3D printing equipment reached 5.211 million units in 2025, representing an average annual increase of 30.9% from 2021 to 2025.

(III) Promising Potential of Future Industries and Synergistic Development of Integrated Business Forms

Currently, a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is accelerating, with cutting-edge technologies continuously emerging, leading and supporting the rapid rise of future industries. It is of great significance to cultivate and develop future industries such as quantum technology, bio-manufacturing, hydrogen and nuclear fusion energy, brain-computer interfaces, embodied intelligence, and sixth-generation mobile communications. In 2025, the value added of intelligent unmanned aerial vehicle manufacturing and intelligent vehicle equipment manufacturing enterprises above designated size increased by 57.0% and 26.2%, respectively, from previous year, while integrated circuit manufacturing and optoelectronic device manufacturing increased by 26.7% and 18.8%, respectively. AI large models, quantum technology, and embodied intelligence saw rapid development. Future industries complement and mutually reinforce traditional and emerging industries, playing a crucial role in promoting the industrial structure towards medium-high end, stimulating innovation vitality, building a tiered development pattern, and enhancing industrial resilience.

III. Innovation-Driven Digital-Intelligent Transformation, Accelerating the Shift in Growth Momentum

(I) Steady Progress in Independent and Controllable Development, with Key Achievements Emerging in Major Fields

Currently, China’s industrial scientific and technological innovation is in a critical period of transition from product-level breakthroughs to system-level capability enhancement. The advantages of the new system for mobilizing resources nationwide are being fully leveraged, and the self-supporting and risk-resilient capacity of industrial chains is steadily improving, giving rise to a positive development landscape featuring faster “catch-up,” wider “parallel advancement,” and emerging “leadership.” A large number of key core technologies and strategically essential basic products have achieved breakthroughs in engineering and industrialization. A series of landmark achievements have been made in key industrial chains such as integrated circuits, industrial machine tools, medical equipment, and shipbuilding. In the field of aerospace exploration, China’s space engineering has achieved a leap from “single-point breakthroughs” to “systematic development.” With the “Chang’e” series missions completing the three-step lunar exploration goals of “orbiting, landing, and returning,” the entry into orbit of the “Tianhe” core module marking the full completion and operational phase of the space station, and the “BeiDou” system completing its global networking for operation, China’s national space infrastructure system has been basically established. This signifies that China has achieved independent and controllable system-level supply capabilities in key areas such as deep space exploration, manned spaceflight, and satellite navigation, providing foundational support for high-precision positioning, large-capacity communication, and high-resolution Earth observation across various sectors of the national economy. In the field of life and health, “bottleneck” challenges are addressed one by one. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) equipment has filled the gap in domestic production, and domestically developed innovative drugs have become globally recognized “star products” due to their outstanding efficacy. In frontier and leading fields, continuous in-depth efforts in areas like artificial intelligence and quantum communication have yielded a series of world-significant and highly anticipated innovation outcomes, marking a shift from being a technological “follower” to a “definer.”

(II) Evident Innovation-Driven Trend and Accelerated High-End, Intelligent, and Green Development

The industrial structure continued to optimize. From 2021 to 2025, the share of high-tech manufacturing and equipment manufacturing enterprises above designated size in the value added of industrial enterprises above designated size rose from 15.1% and 33.7% in 2020 to 17.1% and 36.8% in 2025, respectively. The total profits of equipment manufacturing enterprises above designated size reached RMB 14.2 trillion, with its share in profits of industrial enterprises above designated size rising from 36.9% in 2020 to 39.8% in 2025. The total profits of high-tech manufacturing enterprises above designated size reached RMB 7.4 trillion, with its share rising from 17.8% in 2020 to 20.4% in 2025, reflecting continuous optimization of the profit structure and more prominent high-end, high-quality, and high-efficiency characteristics. Deep empowerment by digital technology accelerated the transformation of manufacturing paradigms. The rapid development of intelligence and automation drove output of integrated circuits, sensors, RF components, vending machines, and industrial automatic regulating instruments and control systems to grow at average annual rates of 13.1%, 22.4%, 22.5%, 28.6%, and 11.2%, respectively, from 2021 to 2025, with “AI Plus” empowering various industries. Embodied intelligence and human-machine collaboration contributed to the rapid development of the robotics industry, with output of industrial robots and service robots growing at average annual rates of 28.8% and 26.6%, respectively, from 2021 to 2025. Low-carbon transformation accelerated comprehensively, with continuous improvement in energy efficiency. The output of green and environmentally friendly products such as solar cells (photovoltaic cells) and bio-based chemical fibers grew at an average annual rate of 39.6% and 74.2%, respectively, from 2021 to 2025. More than 8,000 national-level green factories were cultivated ^[6], and the energy and water consumption per unit of value added of industrial enterprises above designated size continued to decline.

(III) Strengthening of Enterprises’ R&D Role and Effective Stimulation of Endogenous Momentum

China deeply implemented the innovation-driven development strategy. The position of enterprises as the mainstay of innovation became increasingly prominent, as innovation resources accelerated their concentration toward enterprises, and market vitality, innovation momentum, and development potential continued to surge. In 2025, the number of industrial enterprises above designated size exceeded 500,000, with operating income growing at an average annual rate of 5.7% from 2021 to 2025. Policies such as the additional pre-tax deduction for R&D expenses encouraged enterprises to increase R&D investment, with R&D expenses of industrial enterprises above designated size growing at an average annual rate of 11.7% from 2021 to 2025. In terms of innovation expenditure composition, internal R&D expenditure of industrial enterprises above designated size accounted for 64.2% of the total in 2024, with internally driven factors becoming the primary driver of innovation. In terms of innovation output, industrial enterprises above designated size filed 1.662 million patent applications in 2024, holding 2.628 million valid invention patents, of which enterprises in high-tech industries filed 472,000 patent applications and held 1.044 million valid invention patents. By the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China had cultivated 17,600 specialized, refined, distinctive and innovative (SRDI) “little giant” enterprises, over 140,000 SRDI small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and over 600,000 technology-based and innovative SMEs ^[7].

(IV) Accelerated Integration of Digital and Real Economies, with Intelligent Manufacturing Empowering Development

The integration of the digital economy and the real economy advanced in depth, with the digital transformation of manufacturing moving from “pilot demonstration” to “comprehensive rollout” and from “single-point breakthroughs” to “systemic restructuring,” injecting strong digital momentum into new industrialization. Intelligent manufacturing significantly contributed to economic growth. In 2025, the value added of digital product manufacturing enterprises above designated size increased by 9.3% from the previous year, with output of intelligent products such as industrial control computers and systems, CNC metal-cutting machine tools, and 5G smartphones growing by 86.5%, 13.7%, and 12.5%, respectively. The world’s largest and most extensive network infrastructure was built in China, with 4.838 million 5G base stations forming a digital high-speed network accelerating the integration of the real economy and the digital economy. The digital and intelligent transformation of manufacturing was solidly advanced, with more than 35,000 basic-level, 8,200 advanced-level, 500 excellence-level, and 15 pioneer-level smart factories established, making China an important global hub for intelligent manufacturing. Digital technology was widely adopted, with the numerical control rate of key processes in key industrial enterprises rising from 52.1% in 2020 to 68.6% by the end of 2025 ^[8].

IV. Deepened Regional Coordination and Accelerated Cultivation of Industrial Clusters

(I) Effective Results of Major Regional Strategies and Complementary Advantages in Coordinated Development

Major national regional strategies were deeply implemented, with regional industrial layout continuously optimized and a pattern featuring complementary advantages and coordinated development among the eastern, central, and western regions taking shape at a faster pace, creating new space for the high-quality development of the industrial economy. The eastern region accelerated the development of a modern industrial system, continuously playing a leading role in innovation and radiating its influence, becoming a hub for high-end factor aggregation and original technology development, with operating income of industrial enterprises above designated size growing at an average annual rate of 5.3% from 2021 to 2025. The central region developed energy and raw material bases, modern equipment manufacturing, and high-tech industrial bases, with operating income of industrial enterprises above designated size growing at an average annual rate of 6.8% from 2021 to 2025. The western region developed specialty and advantageous industries based on its resource endowments and actively undertook industrial transfers, with operating income of industrial enterprises above designated size growing at an average annual rate of 6.8% from 2021 to 2025. The northeastern region, leveraging its resource endowments and industrial base, coordinated the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries with the cultivation and expansion of strategic emerging industries. Major regional strategies such as the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region, the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta, and the ecological conservation and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin, were effectively implemented, promoting the optimized layout of the industrial economy. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the average operating income of industrial enterprises above designated size in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region, the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Yellow River Basin accounted for 7.7%, 45.7%, 27.7%, and 24.4% of the national total, respectively. The development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle progressed steadily. The orderly transfer and optimized layout of industries within the country not only expanded development space in the eastern region but also strengthened the endogenous development momentum of the central and western regions, promoting complementary advantages and coordinated development among regions.

(II) Distinct Characteristics of Cluster Development and Collaborative Innovation in Industry, Academia, Research, and Application

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China’s industrial cluster development reached a new level, accelerating the formation of a coordinated cluster landscape. By the end of 2025, China had cultivated 66 national strategic emerging industrial clusters and 80 advanced manufacturing clusters, forming a gradient ecosystem led by leading enterprises with upstream and downstream supporting agglomerations. In the global innovation landscape, 24 Chinese innovation clusters were ranked among the global top 100, with the number of clusters included ranking first in the world for three consecutive years, and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster topped the global innovation cluster ranking for the first time ^[9]. Within clusters, collaborative innovation among industry, academia, research, and application continued to deepen. Leading enterprises took the lead in establishing innovation consortia, while universities and research institutes jointly built laboratories with cluster enterprises. The local commercialization rate of R&D outcomes improved significantly, as innovation, industrial, capital, and talent chains became more tightly integrated, injecting strong momentum into the development of new quality productive forces.

V. Diversified Expansion of Export Advantages and Steadfast Progress in Opening-Up

(I) Upgraded “Made in China” Brand under Continuously Optimized Export Structure

While maintaining steady growth in scale, China’s industrial exports achieved systematic structural optimization, with export competitiveness accelerating its transformation from “expansion in quantity” to “improvement in quality.” The share of industrial products, especially machinery and transport equipment, remained high in total exports. In 2025, industrial product exports (denominated in RMB) accounted for 95.8% of total exports, up 0.3 percentage points from 2020. Among them, machinery and transport equipment exports accounted for 51.8%, up 3.3 percentage points from 2020. Exports of mechanical and electronic products and high-tech products increased steadily. The export value of mechanical and electronic products increased from RMB 10.7 trillion in 2020 to RMB 16.5 trillion in 2025. The export value of high-tech products increased from RMB 5.4 trillion in 2020 to RMB 6.8 trillion in 2025. The international competitiveness of advantageous products increased significantly. Exports of electric passenger vehicles surged from 223,000 units in 2020 to 3.933 million units in 2025, ranking first in the global export market. Exports of household appliances rose from 3.39 billion units in 2020 to 4.45 billion units, with their competitive edge shifting from “high cost-effectiveness” towards “high technological content and high reliability.” Exports of medicinal materials and pharmaceuticals increased from 1.314 million tons in 2020 to 1.780 million tons in 2025, with products in the life and health sectors accelerating their global presence. The “New Trio” became a new highlight of foreign trade growth, with exports of electric vehicles, photovoltaic products, and lithium batteries reaching RMB 1.28 trillion in 2025, up 27.1% from the previous year, achieving multiple-fold growth during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. From traditional categories to intelligent new products, “Made in China” is integrating into the daily lives of global consumers with a full range of high-quality products ^[10].

(II) Continuously Enhanced International Influence with Orderly Open Industrial Ecology

Leveraging the advantages of an enormous market and a complete industrial supporting system, China is deeply embedded in global industrial and supply chains. The synergistic effect between domestic and international markets and resources continues to strengthen, forming an open industrial ecology that integrates domestic and external demand, combines online and offline channels, and equally emphasizes attracting foreign investment and going global, injecting a steady stream of momentum into the high-quality development of the industrial economy. Remarkable achievements were made in “attracting foreign investment.” In 2025, 70,392 new foreign-invested enterprises were established nationwide, a year-on-year increase of 19.1%. The actual use of foreign investment in high-tech industries reached RMB 241.77 billion, with the medical instruments and equipment manufacturing and the aerospace vehicles and equipment manufacturing seeing year-on-year growth of 42.1% and 22.9%, respectively ^[11]. Connectivity expanded in depth. In 2025, the annual number of China-Europe Railway Express trips exceeded 20,000 for the first time, connecting 128 cities in China, reaching 232 cities in 26 European countries, and over 100 cities in 11 Asian countries ^[12]. The China-Laos Railway transported 19.51 million passengers, a year-on-year increase of 2.1%, and handled 24.48 million tons of cargo, a year-on-year increase of 24.6% ^[13], achieving a transformation from “connection to smoothness, from smoothness to speed, and from speed to prosperity.” “Going global” yielded fruitful results. The cooperation under the BRI has deepened and yielded tangible results. A number of major production capacity cooperation projects and landmark projects have been implemented, driving the coordinated going global of Chinese equipment, technology, standards, and services. With the door openingup ever wider and the bond between domestic and international circulation becoming ever stronger, industrial development will accelerate its upgrade towards systematic integration across all domains, the modern industrial system is being expedited, and “Made in China” and “Intelligent Manufacturing in China” are embracing the world with greater confidence and openness.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China’s industrial economy steadily achieved effective qualitative enhancement and reasonable quantitative growth amidst a complex economic environment. The country’s status as a manufacturing powerhouse was continuously consolidated, innovation momentum accelerated its accumulation, major national strategic equipment made successive breakthroughs, digital and intelligent transformation advanced iteratively, open cooperation expanded in both depth and breadth, and high-quality development made solid progress. The new industrialization drive reached phased milestones, and new quality productive forces were fostered at an accelerated pace. Standing at the new historical starting point of the 15th Five-Year Plan, China’s industrial economy will ride the momentum to further underpin the Chinese path to modernization with new industrialization, lead high-quality development with new quality productive forces, and lay a solid foundation for building a great country and advancing the great cause of national rejuvenation.

Note:

[1] Calculated at comparable prices with 2020 as the base period. Same applies below.

[2] Source: Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

[3] Source: China Three Gorges Corporation.

[4] Source: Dongfang Electric Corporation.

[5] Source: Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

[6] Source: Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

[7] Source: Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

[8] Source: Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

[9] Source: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

[10] Source: General Administration of Customs.

[11] Source: Ministry of Commerce.

[12] Source: China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.

[13] Source: China Railway Kunming Group Co., Ltd.

Translate from: Websit of the National Bureau of Statistics,June 4,2026