Beijing vows to upgrade country’s manufacturing in ‘two sessions’ conference – but makes no mention of ‘Made in China 2025’ for first time in three years
- The Chinese government budget for science and technology will expand 13.4 per cent to 354.31 billion yuan (US$52.88 billion) this year
- Premier Li Keqiang avoids mentioning ‘Made in China 2025’ plan amid trade tensions with US
In delivering his 2019 government work report to the National People’s Congress in Beijing on Tuesday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said the country would “work faster to make China strong in manufacturing” – this despite there being no mention of “Made in China 2025” in the government work report for the first time in three years.
“Made in China 2025” (MIC2025), the Beijing blueprint for tech supremacy that has aroused suspicion in the US and Europe, was not cited at all in China’s 2019 government work report, but top leaders reiterated the country’s ambitions to upgrade its manufacturing industry and boost technology development.
“We will strengthen the supporting capacity of quality infrastructure … and improve the quality of products and services to encourage more domestic and foreign users to choose Chinese goods and services,” said Li, reading from the 35-page report.
However, toning down the project during one of the most important events on China’s political calendar does not mean Beijing is stepping back from its ambitions to use technology and innovation to lift its traditional industries.
The closely followed work report is the centrepiece of the annual Two Sessions, not only presenting targets for China’s economic growth, but often containing hints of policy shifts or changes in the Chinese government.
