Advanced manufacturing stands as a cornerstone of the real economy, and its pursuit of a "leading edge" is set to define the next chapter of China's industrial policy. At a recent State Council Information Office press conference themed around the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), the term "advanced manufacturing" emerged as a central theme, underscoring a clear and resolute direction for the nation's economic strategy. The message is unequivocal: accelerate the development of advanced manufacturing, build a modern industrial system with it at the core, and enhance overall advanced manufacturing capabilities.

The concept of "leading" in advanced manufacturing is deeply rooted in the optimization of the industrial structure. The plan is to concurrently push forward with the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, cultivate and strengthen emerging sectors, and make forward-looking arrangements for future industries. This comprehensive approach aims to preserve and develop a complete industrial system. For traditional industries, the focus will be on "renewal" through deepened pilot programs for technological transformation in cities, bolstering technological innovation, equipment upgrades, and the adoption of new models, steering them towards intelligent, green, and integrated development. In the realm of emerging industries, the strategy is to accelerate their "leadership" by fostering key pillar sectors such as integrated circuits, aerospace, biomedicine, low-altitude economy, new energy storage, and intelligent robotics. Simultaneously, plans are in place to help future industries "take root," aiming to cultivate quantum technology, bio-manufacturing, hydrogen and nuclear fusion energy, brain-computer interfaces, embodied intelligence, and sixth-generation mobile communications (6G) into new economic growth points.

The foundation of this "leading" position lies in breakthroughs in core technologies. A notable illustration from the press conference was the mass production of ultra-thin flexible glass, which is only 30 micrometers thick—about a quarter of the thickness of an A4 sheet of paper—enabling foldable smartphones to be bent repeatedly. This achievement highlights the cycle of "one generation of materials, one generation of equipment, and one generation of industry," fueled by the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation. The announced measures are designed to strengthen original innovation and tackle key core technologies, enhance the use of platforms like the National Manufacturing Innovation Center and manufacturing pilot testing platforms, and channel innovation resources towards enterprises. These steps are intended to forge a seamless link between the innovation chain and the industrial chain, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the manufacturing innovation system.

Ultimately, the "leading" edge of advanced manufacturing must manifest in a leap in manufacturing capabilities. China's manufacturing sector already produces over 70% of the world's new energy vehicles, power batteries, and key materials, and the annual output of industrial robots has risen to 773,000 sets—a testament to its hardcore strength. To further this momentum, a package of measures has been announced. These include deepening the "AI + Manufacturing" special action, promoting the large-scale application of technologies like 5G and the industrial internet in manufacturing, and fostering the deep integration of advanced manufacturing with modern services, encouraging new business models and formats such as platform-based design and personalized customization. On the green and low-carbon front, the roadmap is clearer than ever: coordinate the optimization of industrial and energy structures, accelerate electrification and the application of green energy, and implement a digital ID management system for power batteries. By the end of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the goal is to cultivate and build 500 zero-carbon factories, and by 2030, strive for the comprehensive utilization of waste power batteries to reach over one million tons.

A thriving industrial ecosystem is essential for advanced manufacturing to flourish. The authorities have committed to acting as a supportive "family member" for enterprises, implementing key reform tasks, strengthening planning guidance, standards, and policy safeguards, and deepening high-level opening-up and cooperation to foster a favorable industrial environment. The "15th Five-Year Plan for Promoting the Development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises" is slated for release soon, outlining systematic arrangements for nurturing high-quality enterprises, deepening digital and intelligent empowerment, and strengthening the supply of production factors to support their high-quality development. Furthermore, efforts will be intensified to enhance industrial governance, improve the legal and regulatory framework, refine capacity monitoring and early warning mechanisms, and strengthen planning guidance, capacity control, price governance, and industry self-discipline. A comprehensive effort to tackle "involution-style" competition is underway to create a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized business environment.

With clear objectives and a defined path, China's manufacturing sector is poised to race ahead with a competitive spirit in the new five-year term, solidifying its role as a key driver of economic progress.