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China calls for faster, broader adoption of advanced tech to cement industrial power

Locked in a tech war with the US, Beijing seeks greater commercialisation of cutting-edge technologies through large-scale application

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Manufacturing technology in China. Photo: Shutterstock Images
Sylvia Ma

China’s State Council has called for the faster development and wider rollout of large-scale testing and application environments for new technologies, as Beijing pushes to boost commercialisation and build a world-leading industrial base.

The country should “focus on the frontiers of industrial development and key technological challenges, and prioritise the layout of new application scenarios in emerging fields and tracks, high-value niche areas and cross-regional and cross-sector domains,” according to a cabinet meeting chaired by Premier Li Qiang and reported by state news agency Xinhua.

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Participants also called for leveraging China’s vast market and diverse “application scenarios” to better align supply with demand.

The comments came as the world’s second-largest economy strives for greater technological self-reliance and seeks to solidify its position as a manufacturing powerhouse amid Western export controls and intensifying global competition.
The leadership’s priorities were also highlighted in a detailed proposal for the coming five-year plan following the fourth plenum in late October. The proposal urged “the launch of large-scale demonstration projects for new technologies, products and application scenarios to accelerate the scaling up of emerging industries”.

FULL EVENT: China Future Tech Webinar | The US-China chip war

FULL EVENT: China Future Tech Webinar | The US-China chip war

It also called for building “a modern industrial system with advanced manufacturing as the backbone” and maintaining a “reasonable” share of manufacturing in the national economy – underscoring Beijing’s determination to cement its dominance in the sector.

US export controls targeting China’s access to a range of critical technologies – including cutting-edge chips – became a significant source of leverage when trade tensions escalated in April.
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There was some progress on issues such as tariffs and port fees following last week’s meeting between President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump, but no breakthrough on a deal for the most advanced semiconductors.
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