On January 21, 2026, the State Council Information Office held a press conference where Vice Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology Zhang Yunming and spokesperson Tao Qing introduced the achievements in industrial and information technology development in 2025 and answered questions. The key points are as follows:
I. Overall Achievements: Four Key Features—Stability, Progress, Innovation, and Vitality
- Stability: The value-added of industrial enterprises above the designated size increased by 5.9% YoY, with the manufacturing scale ranking first globally for 16 consecutive years; telecommunications service volume grew by 9.1%, and the industrial and information technology sector contributed over 40% to economic growth.
- Progress: The value-added of equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing increased by 9.2% and 9.4%, respectively; more than 35,000 basic-level smart factories were cumulatively established, and the number of national green factories exceeded 8,000.
- Innovation: The value-added of integrated circuits and electronic specialty materials increased by 26.7% and 23.9%, respectively; over 330 models of humanoid robots were developed, and the first phase of 6G technology testing resulted in more than 300 key technology reserves; NEV sales reached 16.49 million units, up 28.2% YoY.
- Vitality: 5G and gigabit optical networks were integrated into 91 out of 97 major categories of the national economy, while industrial internet covered 41 major industrial categories; the number of specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative small and medium-sized enterprises exceeded 140,000, and high-tech enterprises reached 504,000.
II. Progress in Key Areas and Next Steps
(I) Green and Low-Carbon Industrial Development
- Progress: Energy-saving and carbon reduction transformations in traditional industries accelerated, with million-ton-level hydrogen metallurgy projects launched in Hebei and Guangdong, achieving an annual carbon reduction of over 50%; innovation capabilities in the energy-saving and environmental protection equipment industry improved, with over 1,000 technologies and equipment supported for promotion during the 14th Five-Year Plan period; integrated applications such as wind and solar power, energy storage, and hydrogen advanced, with the average utilization rate of renewable energy in green computing facilities exceeding 70%.
- Next Steps: Address challenges like flexible hydrogen production through technological breakthroughs; promote the large-scale adoption of technologies and equipment driven by application needs; improve standards in areas such as industrial green microgrids and clean, low-carbon hydrogen.
(II) Humanoid Robots and Embodied AI
- Progress: Over 330 product models were developed, accelerating their transition to practical applications; innovation centers were established in Beijing and Shanghai, focusing on R&D of open-source general-purpose robots and operating systems; a standardization technical committee was formed, with participation from more than 70 organizations.
- Next Steps: Tackle key technologies such as large models and integrated joints; ensure quality, network, and data security; strengthen the ecosystem by enhancing fund support and building open-source communities.
(III) New Materials Industry
- Progress: Innovation and industrial integration were promoted, with high-performance carbon fiber composites applied in subway car bodies; the first-batch new materials insurance compensation program was implemented, facilitating the market entry of products worth over 55 billion yuan; a system of five key platforms was established, and more than 500 standards were released.
- Next Steps: Leverage the strengths of the national system and market mechanisms, focus on areas such as advanced basic materials, and promote collaborative innovation across the entire chain, while strengthening policy and factor support.
Full Text:
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology: Main Targets and Tasks for Industrial and Informatization Development in 2025 Successfully Completed
On January 21, 2026, the State Council Information Office held a press conference to introduce the achievements in industrial and informatization development in 2025. Zhang Yunming, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, attended the press conference. Together with Tao Qing, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and Director of the Operation Monitoring and Coordination Bureau, and Xie Cun, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and Director of the Information Communication Development Department, they provided relevant details and answered questions from journalists. The following is a transcript of the press conference.
Industrial and Informatization Development in 2025 Characterized by Four Features: "Stable," "Progressive," "Innovative," and "Dynamic"
Zhang Yunming: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, friends from the press! First of all, I would like to thank you for your long-standing concern and support for the cause of industry and informatization.
In 2025, facing profound and complex changes in the domestic and overseas situation, and under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the industrial and informatization system fully implemented the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and its successive plenary sessions, resolutely shouldering the key task of achieving new-type industrialization. The industrial economy advanced under pressure, developing toward innovation and excellence, achieving effective qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth. The main targets and tasks for the year were successfully completed. Looking back at the industrial and informatization development in 2025, it was characterized by four features: "stable," "progressive," "innovative," and "dynamic."
First, the "stable" trend continued to consolidate. We adhered to focusing the emphasis of economic development on the real economy, introduced a new round of work plans for stabilizing growth in ten key industries, supported major industrial provinces in playing a leading role, and effectively boosted the steady growth of the industrial economy. In 2025, the value-added of industrial enterprises above the designated size increased by 5.9% YoY, the proportion of manufacturing value-added in GDP remained stable, and the scale of manufacturing is expected to remain the world's largest for the 16th consecutive year. The total telecommunications service volume increased by 9.1% YoY. The contribution of the industrial and informatization sector to economic growth exceeded 40%, effectively serving as a "ballast stone."
Second, the "progressive" pace continued to accelerate. We unwaveringly anchored high-quality development as the primary task, and solidly advanced the intelligent, green, and integrated development of manufacturing. The value-added of equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing industries above the designated size increased by 9.2% and 9.4% YoY, respectively, with growth rates 3.3 and 3.5 percentage points higher than that of industrial enterprises above the designated size. Their share in the total value-added of industrial enterprises above the designated size increased by 2.2 and 0.8 percentage points compared to 2024. The digital and intelligent transformation of the manufacturing sector has been steadily advancing, with a cumulative total of over 35,000 basic-level, 8,200 advanced-level, and 500 outstanding-level smart factories established, and 15 leading-level smart factories nurtured. Industrial carbon reduction, pollution control, green expansion, and growth have been promoted in a coordinated manner, with more than 8,000 national green factories cultivated, and the energy and water consumption per unit of added value for industrial enterprises above designated size continuously decreasing.
Third, new momentum continues to grow. We have focused on promoting the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, and have implemented key core technology breakthrough projects, industrial foundation reconstruction projects, and major technical equipment breakthrough projects. Significant progress has been made in major equipment such as ultra-large diameter tunnel boring machines and heavy-duty gas turbines, and artificial intelligence has injected strong impetus into industrial economic growth, with the first phase of 6G technology trials forming over 300 key technology reserves. The added value of industries such as integrated circuits and electronic special materials grew by 26.7% and 23.9% YoY respectively, the production of industrial robots increased by 28% YoY, and the sales of new NEVs reached 16.49 million units, up 28.2% YoY. Investment in emerging fields showed a good trend, with sectors like aviation, spacecraft, and equipment manufacturing achieving double-digit growth in investment.
Fourth, the effects of "vitality" continue to manifest. We have accelerated reforms in key areas, implemented special actions to reduce the burden on enterprises, expedited the clearance of arrears owed to enterprises, and promoted the implementation of pro-enterprise policies, striving to create a vibrant environment for enterprise development. Initial results have been achieved in the comprehensive management of involution-style competition, and the competitive ecology in key industries such as NEVs and PV continues to improve. 5G and gigabit optical networks have been integrated into 91 out of 97 major categories of the national economy, and industrial internet has covered all 41 major industrial categories, injecting more vitality into economic and social development. Efforts have been strengthened to cultivate high-quality enterprises, with over 140,000 specialized, refined, unique, and innovative SMEs and 504,000 high-tech enterprises within their validity period cumulatively fostered. In 2025, the added value of specialized, refined, unique, and innovative "little giant" enterprises in industrial enterprises above designated size grew by 9% YoY, and the total profit of high-tech enterprises in the first 11 months grew by 5.3% YoY.
Looking back at the past year and ahead to the next five years, during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China's industrial economic development has achieved new significant accomplishments, with its characteristics of resilience, potential, and vitality further highlighted. We are full of confidence in maintaining a steady and positive trend for industrial economic development in 2026. In the new year, the industrial and information technology system will adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, conscientiously implement the deployment of the Central Economic Work Conference, take promoting high-quality development as the theme, uphold the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, better coordinate domestic economic work and international economic and trade struggles, better coordinate development and security, vigorously promote new-type industrialization, accelerate the construction of a modern industrial system with advanced manufacturing as the backbone, and focus on stabilizing growth, strengthening innovation, promoting integration, optimizing governance, and preventing risks, to ensure a good start for the 15th Five-Year Plan.
I will briefly introduce these points. Building on the experience summarized from last year, we have continued to prepare this review material on the industrial and information technology developments in 2025 and during the 14th Five-Year Plan period for your reference. Next, my colleagues and I are ready to take questions from our journalist friends. Thank you.
Q&A Session
Emerging and Future Industries: Achieving Three "Batches" to Provide Strong Momentum for China's Economic Development
Journalist: In recent years, how has the development of China's emerging and future industries progressed? The proposal for the 15th Five-Year Plan suggests cultivating and strengthening emerging and future industries. How will this be promoted and implemented? Thank you.
Zhang Yunming:Thank you for your question. I will address it. Since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has resolutely implemented the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, coordinating efforts to optimize and upgrade traditional industries, develop and strengthen emerging industries, and make forward-looking arrangements for future industries. We have advanced technological breakthroughs, achievement transformation, and industrialisation in an integrated manner, improving institutional mechanisms for supply-demand matching, collaborative research, resource sharing, and policy coordination. We have developed new quality productive forces according to local conditions, providing strong momentum for China's economic and social development, which is reflected in three "batches."
First, a batch of innovative achievements with high "innovation content" have emerged one after another. "Good ideas" from the laboratory are continuously transformed into "good products" on the production line. Technologies such as perovskite materials, permanent magnetic materials, and power batteries are at internationally advanced levels. New-type networks, high-speed communications, advanced computing, emerging software, and blockchain technologies are accelerating iteration. Prototypes like atomic clocks and magnetometers based on new quantum technologies have been successfully developed. Superconducting quantum computers and photonic quantum computers have achieved quantum advantage, meaning these computers possess computational capabilities that surpass any classical computer in solving specific problems. Brain-computer interface technology is accelerating its expansion from medical applications to fields like education and industry.
Second, a batch of new products with broad application prospects are accelerating their entry into the market. End-use products such as intelligent robots are continuously maturing and being put into use. Bio-manufacturing products are expanding their application scope in industries like pharmaceuticals and health, daily chemicals and cosmetics, and green energy. A number of new scenarios, such as "5G+," "Industrial Internet+," "Robotics+," and "Beidou+," are being rapidly cultivated, providing vast market space for the rapid industrialisation of new products.
Third, a batch of competitive industries with strong international competitiveness have emerged. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, a number of emerging industries, including NEVs, PV, low-altitude equipment, ships, and marine engineering equipment, accelerated their development and growth, making the name card of "Made in China" even more "impressive."In 2025, NEV production and sales reached new highs, the PV industry developed steadily, injecting green momentum into global development. The number and variety of civil drone products continued to grow. The shipbuilding industry achieved simultaneous improvement in both quantity and quality, with industrial competitiveness continuously strengthening.
Looking ahead to the "16th Five-Year Plan" period, in terms of emerging industries, we will thoroughly implement the action to develop and strengthen emerging industries and create new momentum, the large-scale application demonstration action for new technologies, new products, and new scenarios in manufacturing, establish national demonstration bases for emerging industrial development, and work from both supply and demand sides to accelerate the cultivation of emerging pillar industries. Regarding future industries, we will implement the "Implementation Opinions on Promoting the Innovative Development of Future Industries," continuously carry out the "unveiling the list and appointing the best" mechanism for innovation tasks, organize and implement a number of forward-looking and strategic major science and technology projects, support local governments in building a number of future industry pilot zones according to local conditions, increase government investment fund investments, and form a favorable situation nationwide where future industries compete for development. That's all for my answer, thank you.
Thoroughly Implement the Smart Manufacturing Project, Continuously Carry Out Gradient Cultivation of Smart Factories
Reporter: As benchmark demonstrations for smart manufacturing, the cultivation and development of leading-edge smart factories have attracted much attention. What landmark achievements have they made in key technology breakthroughs and industrial chain collaboration? How will the cultivation be deepened next to expand the demonstration and leading effect? Thank you.
Xie Cun: Thank you for your question. Cultivating leading-edge smart factories is a strategic measure for China to seize the opportunity of industrial intelligent development and build future manufacturing competitive advantages. Since 2025, we have jointly promoted this work with departments including the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the Ministry of Finance, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the State Administration for Market Regulation, and the National Data Administration, aiming to create a number of "Chinese models" representing the highest global level of smart manufacturing, paving the way and leading the overall upgrade of China's manufacturing industry. Currently, the first batch of 15 leading factories were collectively unveiled at the 2025 World Intelligent Manufacturing Summit, and the related cultivation work has achieved outstanding progress in three aspects:
First, beneficial exploration has been conducted in manufacturing modes. The leading factories meet production requirements for high efficiency, high precision, high flexibility, and high quality, setting transformation benchmarks for their respective industries. Some automobile factories achieved flexible mixed-flow production of multiple car models, some petrochemical factories achieved autonomous operation relying on digital twins, and some optical cable factories conquered extreme manufacturing processes for ultra-large size preform rods, etc. These changes drove an average productivity increase of 29% and reduced product defect rate by 47%.
Second, innovative breakthroughs have been achieved in manufacturing technology. Currently, artificial intelligence has penetrated over 70% of business scenarios in leading factories, accumulated more than 6,000 vertical domain models, drove the large-scale application of over 1,700 key smart manufacturing equipment and industrial software pieces, and formed a number of industrial intelligent agents with perception, decision-making, and execution capabilities, promoting the evolution of smart manufacturing from "automation" to "autonomy."
Third, in terms of industrial value, it has driven synergistic upgrading. The lighthouse factories not only provide high-end products but also extend into high-value models such as large-scale customization, industry chain collaboration, and predictive maintenance, transforming from "product manufacturers" into comprehensive providers of "products + services + solutions." Lighthouse factories export relevant capabilities to the entire industry, driving the synergistic upgrading of more than 1,300 upstream and downstream enterprises, and promoting the overall leap of the industry chain toward the high end.
Next, we will deeply implement the smart manufacturing project and continue to carry out gradient cultivation of smart factories. We will further expand the scale and establish more benchmarks. We will support leading enterprises in exploring future manufacturing models and continue to cultivate a number of lighthouse factories to lead the overall transformation of the industry. We will further refine standards and promote knowledge sharing. We will systematically summarize best practices to form replicable and promotable technical guidelines, standards, and solutions, and export and share them with the entire industry. We will further open up and collaborate, contributing China's solutions. We will promote lighthouse factories as sources of technology, standards, and rules, and accelerate their replication and promotion overseas, providing Chinese wisdom for the global digital and intelligent transformation of manufacturing.
Let us look forward to lighthouse factories continuously injecting new momentum into "Intelligent Manufacturing in China" and exploring new frontiers! That's all for my answer, thank you.
Three Aspects of Efforts to Expand Domestic Demand and Optimize Supply to Better Meet the People's Needs for a Better Life
Reporter: The Central Economic Work Conference listed "adhering to domestic demand-led approach and building a strong domestic market" as the primary task. May I ask, what is the current development status of the consumer goods industry? In 2026, how will we further adapt to consumption upgrading, improve the supply capacity of high-quality consumer goods, and better meet consumer demand? Thank you.
Tao Qing:Thank you for your question, I will answer it. The consumer goods industry is a traditional advantageous industry and an important livelihood industry in China. Currently, there are about 195,000 enterprises above the designated size, employing more than 25 million people, accounting for 37% and 34.3% of all industrial enterprises above the designated size, respectively. In the full year of 2025, the value-added of consumer goods industries above the designated size increased by 3.7% YoY, accounting for 26.1% of all industries above the designated size. In 2025, our ministry thoroughly implemented the "Action Plan for Boosting Consumption," and jointly issued and implemented the "Implementation Plan on Enhancing the Adaptability of Consumer Goods Supply and Demand to Further Promote Consumption" with multiple departments. We mainly focused on three aspects to continuously expand domestic demand, optimize supply, and better meet the people's growing needs for a better life.
First, we made every effort to optimize supply-demand synergy and continuously increased the supply of high-quality products. We organized promotional consumption activities such as "Foodie Season," "Better Supply and Upgrading in Textiles and Apparel," and "Shopping Season for Respecting the Elderly," cumulatively releasing 35 landmark bio-manufacturing products, 1,321 innovative textile products, 1,188 high-quality elderly products, and 1,021 upgraded and innovative consumer goods. We improved the quality and safety traceability system for infant formula milk powder, striving to meet diverse consumer demands with high-quality supply, so that the people "have the supply for what they want to buy and feel more assured about what they buy."
Second, strengthen the leading role of brand strategy to activate the intrinsic momentum of domestic product consumption. Deeply implement the "increase variety, improve quality, and create brands" strategy in the consumer goods industry, release the first batch of 93 enterprise brands and 43 regional brands of Chinese consumer famous products, organize and host the Famous Consumer Products Conference, and improve the brand cultivation and promotion system. Focus on cultivating historical classic industries, creating "national trend masterpieces" such as Chinese tea, silk, and porcelain, exploring new consumption scenarios, formats, and models, and promoting domestic products to not only "break out" but also "shine," becoming the "favorites" of the people's consumption.
Third, consolidate the foundation of industrial upgrading and build a solid support for high-quality supply. Issue and implement digital transformation plans for industries such as textiles, light industry, food, and pharmaceuticals. Strengthen the construction of distinctive industrial clusters in the consumer goods industry, release the first list of 39 traditional advantageous food production areas and key local specialty food industries for cultivation, and 25 key textile and garment special industry clusters (at the county level) under the "one county, one policy" initiative in central and western regions, making the consumer market both full of "vitality" and more "technological."
Next, we will resolutely implement the decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, closely follow the orientation of supply-demand collaboration, keep up with the trend of consumption upgrade, optimize product supply, continuously build an array of Chinese consumer famous products, improve the brand development ecosystem, steadily promote the intelligent, green, and integrated development of the consumer goods industry, and build a "hard support" for consumption supply. With more practical measures, we will release consumption vitality, enhance consumption momentum, and promote more domestic products to gain fame domestically and go global, making consumption choices richer and the consumption experience more comfortable. That concludes my response, thank you.
Five Measures to Accelerate High-Quality Development of the Artificial Intelligence Industry
Reporter: In the context of "AI + Manufacturing," which industries will be prioritized for support? How will the balance be struck between potential unemployment or foreign restrictions due to innovative development? Thank you.
Zhang Yunming: Thank you for your question. I will answer it now. By 2025, global artificial intelligence technology will accelerate innovation and iteration, deepening integration with various industries and fields. 2025 is also a year when China's artificial intelligence industry thrives and shines. We focus on both the development of the AI industry and its deep application in the manufacturing sector, achieving significant results, mainly in four aspects.
First, the foundation continues to be strengthened. Domestic enterprises have released multiple AI chip products, with smart computing power reaching 1,590 EFLOPS. High-quality data sets in the industry are emerging at an accelerated pace, and domestic large models lead the global open-source ecosystem. According to relevant institutions, by 2025, the number of AI enterprises in China will exceed 6,000, and the core industry scale is expected to surpass 1.2 trillion yuan.
Second, products have become increasingly diverse. AI-enabled end-use products such as AI phones, AI computers, and AI glasses are rapidly entering millions of households. In the first three quarters of 2025, shipments in the smart glasses market exceeded 1.78 million units, nearly 80% of which were AI glasses, adding a greater sense of technology and futurism to production and daily life.
Third, applications continue to expand. Currently, AI applications have covered key industries such as steel, nonferrous metals, power, and communications, and are gradually penetrating key areas such as product R&D, quality detection, and client services. For example, a home appliance enterprise used its self-developed "5G+AI" industrial visual detection system to increase detection accuracy to 99.98% and improve per capita productivity by 275%.
Fourth, the ecosystem is accelerating its growth. The National AI Industry Investment Fund was launched and put into operation, with a capital scale of 60 billion yuan. The AI Standardization Special Initiative was further implemented, resulting in the development and release of over 40 key national and industry standards by 2025, along with the incubation and launch of key open-source projects such as agent protocols and operator libraries.
Recently, our ministry, together with seven other departments, issued the Implementation Opinions on the Special Initiative for "AI + Manufacturing," accompanied by industry transformation guidelines and enterprise application guides. In the next step, we will focus on implementing the Implementation Opinions to accelerate the high-quality development of the AI industry. We will strengthen technological innovation, accelerating breakthroughs in key technologies such as training chips and heterogeneous computing power. We will promote integrated applications, focusing on sectors such as software programming, new materials R&D, pharmaceutical R&D, and information communications, and systematically drive breakthroughs in large and small models as well as intelligent agents. We will foster enterprise growth, stimulating the emergence of more enabling application service providers. We will enhance ecosystem development, accelerating the formulation of urgently needed industry standards and improving the AI open-source mechanism. We will advance security governance, strengthening R&D and application in areas such as algorithm security protection and training data protection, and enhancing enterprises' ability to prevent ethical risks.
Regarding the employment issue you mentioned, I would like to emphasize that this is an inevitable challenge in the development of AI. Technological progress often accompanies the restructuring of employment patterns and the iteration of job positions. However, restructuring does not mean disappearance, and iteration does not mean replacement. We must view the challenges of development through the lens of development itself. This is also an issue we must resolve. Every country faces similar challenges in the process of developing AI. We will adhere to application-driven approaches, fully leverage the enabling role of AI integration, and while promoting the restructuring of organizational models, work methods, and production paradigms, continuously enhance the AI literacy of workers and cultivate more interdisciplinary talents who understand both AI and manufacturing. This is also an issue that has been proven by the laws of historical development to be inevitably solvable. From the Industrial Revolution to the Information Technology Revolution, every major technological transformation has raised concerns about employment, but ultimately, through industrial transformation, productivity has been enhanced, employment structures optimized, and new jobs created. Finally, I would like to emphasize that in the face of artificial intelligence development, we must uphold the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity, strengthen international exchanges and cooperation with an open and win-win attitude. The new challenges brought by artificial intelligence will surely be effectively resolved, and we should all be full of confidence in this. Thank you!
Cultivating New Momentum for Green Development from Three Aspects: Technology Drive, Application Traction, and Standards Leadership
Reporter: We have noticed that in 2025, the green and low-carbon transformation of industry accelerated, and the green manufacturing system continued to improve. May I ask what progress has been made in promoting the green and low-carbon development of industry, and how will we further contribute to high-quality green and low-carbon development in the future? Thank you.
Tao Qing:Thank you for your question. I will answer it. The advancement of intelligent production technologies and green energy technologies, while empowering industrial greening, has also given rise to green industrialisation. Our ministry has consistently implemented the decisions and deployments of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council, actively cultivating new momentum for green development, seeking innovation through green transformation, and achieving positive results.
First, unleashing new vitality in traditional industries. We have deeply advanced energy-saving and carbon reduction upgrades, promoting traditional industries to achieve green expansion and growth through carbon reduction and pollution control. For example, using hydrogen as a reducing agent for iron smelting can reduce pollutants and carbon dioxide emissions at the source. Currently, million-ton-level hydrogen metallurgy projects in Hebei, Guangdong, and other places have been successively put into operation. Compared to traditional processes, these can reduce carbon emissions by over 50% annually, creating a new landscape for the development of the steel industry.
Second, providing new equipment for energy conservation and environmental protection. China's energy conservation and environmental protection equipment industry has continued to expand in scale, with innovation capabilities significantly enhanced. During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, our ministry supported the promotion and application of over a thousand technological equipment items for energy saving, carbon reduction, water conservation, and pollution reduction. We carried out innovation tasks for major environmental protection technologies and equipment through open solicitation, strengthened breakthroughs and supply-demand matching, providing key equipment support for the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development.
Third, developing new business models in green energy. We have proactively adapted to the new-type power system, enhancing the local consumption level of renewable energy. We coordinated the construction and application of industrial green microgrids and digital energy-carbon management centers, released typical application scenarios and cases, and guided the integrated application of wind power, solar power, energy storage, and hydrogen. In 2025, the average utilization rate of renewable energy in national green computing facilities exceeded 70%.
The Central Economic Work Conference identified "adhering to the 'dual carbon' goals as the guide and promoting comprehensive green transformation" as a key task for next year's economic work. In the next step, we will thoroughly implement Xi Jinping's Thought on Ecological Civilization, firmly establish and practice the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," and focus on three aspects to cultivate new momentum for green development:
Technology-driven aspect: Addressing industrial development needs, we will focus on tackling difficulties and bottlenecks such as flexible hydrogen production and the digital-intelligent operation of microgrids, develop key energy-saving and environmental protection equipment and integrated system solutions suited to specific scenarios, and establish a technology and equipment R&D and promotion mechanism dominated by enterprises and deeply integrated with industry, academia, research, and application.
Application-led aspect: Guided by market demand, we will direct various resource elements towards green and low-carbon development, promote the transition of advanced and applicable technology and equipment from "demonstration applications" to "large-scale popularization," and form a virtuous cycle of technological iteration, industrial upgrading, and model innovation.
Standard-led aspect: Focusing on areas such as industrial green microgrids, clean low-carbon hydrogen, and energy-saving and environmental protection equipment, we will formulate and revise a batch of basic universal and technical specification standards, promote the transformation of scientific and technological achievements into standards, safeguard baseline requirements and create benchmarks, and comprehensively strengthen the implementation and application of standards. Thank you.
Improving the Policy and Regulatory Framework, High-Quality Enterprise Cultivation, and Public Service System to Promote High-Quality Development of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Reporter:Small and medium-sized enterprises are an important support for economic resilience. What was the development status of China's SMEs in 2025? How will efforts be intensified next to promote the high-quality development of SMEs? Thank you.
Zhang Yunming:Thank you for your question. I will answer this one. In 2025, the development of small and medium-sized enterprises continued to maintain a stable and positive trend, which can be summarized as two "steadies." The first "steady" is the steady growth of major economic indicators. In 2025, the value-added of industrial SMEs above designated size increased by 6.9% YoY, and the SME export index for December was 52.4%, having remained in expansion territory for 21 consecutive months. The second "steady" is the steady improvement in development quality. Cumulatively, 17,600 specialized, sophisticated, distinctive, and innovative "little giant" enterprises, over 140,000 specialized, sophisticated, distinctive, and innovative SMEs, and over 600,000 scientific, technological, and innovative SMEs have been cultivated. The R&D intensity of specialized, sophisticated, distinctive, and innovative "little giant" enterprises reached 7%, with a total of 460,000 invention patents and an average of 26.6 per enterprise.
However, we also note that currently many SMEs still face difficulties and challenges in areas such as market orders, talent attraction and cultivation, capital turnover, and transformation and upgrading, requiring further improvement of policy measures and increased support efforts.
In 2026, our ministry will adhere to the "two unwaverings," emphasize both service and management as well as development and support, improve the policy and regulatory system, the high-quality enterprise cultivation system, and the public service system to promote the high-quality development of small and medium-sized enterprises.
First, we will continue to optimize the development environment for enterprises. We will formulate a development plan for promoting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. We will fully implement the Regulation on Ensuring Payments to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, intensify efforts to clear overdue payments owed to enterprises, resolutely curb new instances of overdue payments, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of SMEs. We will accelerate the revision of the classification criteria for SMEs, further optimize classification indicators and methods, and enhance the precision and effectiveness of policy support.
Second, we will intensify efforts to cultivate more specialized and innovative SMEs. We will expedite the establishment of mechanisms to promote the development and growth of specialized and innovative SMEs, and implement a three-year action plan for the gradient cultivation of high-quality enterprises. We will explore the establishment of a number of specialized and innovative empowerment centers. We will improve the gradient cultivation system for characteristic industrial clusters of SMEs. We will refine the mechanism where large enterprises "post challenges" and SMEs "respond to challenges," promoting collaborative and integrated development among enterprises of all sizes.
Third, we will make every effort to provide comprehensive, all-element, and full-cycle services. Focusing on the needs of enterprises, we will establish and effectively utilize the China SME Service Network. We will create the first batch of national public service demonstration platforms (bases) for SMEs. In collaboration with relevant departments, we will launch the "Benefiting Enterprises Together" service initiative for SMEs, continuously strengthening high-quality and efficient public services in areas such as market expansion, digital empowerment, financing promotion, talent attraction and cultivation, management enhancement, and international cooperation, to support the high-quality development of SMEs. That concludes my response. Thank you.
China has constructed the world's largest information infrastructure with leading technology.
Reporter: I would like to ask about the construction of information infrastructure. In recent years, China has consistently adhered to the principle of moderately advancing the construction of information infrastructure, providing strong support for the in-depth integration and development of the real economy and the digital economy. What is the current overall situation regarding the construction of information infrastructure? Could you provide an introduction? Additionally, what are the key tasks for the next steps? Thank you.
Xie Cun: Thank you for your question. I will answer it. As you mentioned, moderate advancement is one of our primary approaches in constructing information infrastructure. Following this approach, we have built the world's largest information infrastructure with leading technology. Here are some sets of data for reference: In terms of mobile networks, 4.838 million 5G base stations have been constructed, with 5G coverage extended to all townships and 95% of administrative villages across the country. 5G evolved networks (i.e., 5G-A) have covered more than 330 cities. In terms of fixed networks, the number of 10G PON ports for gigabit optical networks has reached 31.62 million, with two-thirds of prefecture-level cities meeting the gigabit city standards. Pilot constructions of 10-gigabit optical networks have also been initiated in some cities. Regarding computing infrastructure, 42 intelligent computing clusters with 10,000 cards each have been established, with the scale of intelligent computing power exceeding 1,590 EFLOPS, ranking among the top globally and strongly supporting the rapid development of China's artificial intelligence industry.
Build well, and use well. In recent years, we have also adhered to the principle of "building and using in combination, promoting construction through use," dedicated to advancing the application of information infrastructure at all levels. At the individual user level, the scale of 5G users exceeded 1.2 billion, accounting for 65.9% of all mobile phone users, with an average usage of 23GB per user in December 2025; gigabit broadband users reached 240 million, accounting for 34.5% of all broadband users. In the vertical industry sector, over 23,000 "5G+Industrial Internet" projects were launched, and new models and forms such as "dark factories," "unmanned mines," and "smart ports" gradually grew, becoming a key driving force for the upgrade of traditional industries.
In the future, continuous iteration and upgrading will be carried out to maintain technological leadership. We follow the rule of "commercializing one generation while researching and developing the next," steadily enhancing the capabilities of information and communication technology. Currently, China's share of 5G standard-essential patent declarations is 42% globally; 6G R&D has completed the first phase of technical trials, forming over 300 key technology reserves, and the second phase of 6G technical trials has recently been initiated.
Next, our ministry will focus on coordinating the three aspects of "construction, use, and research," emphasizing the three key words: "upgrade, iteration, and deepening," to promote high-quality development in the information and communication industry. Upgrade means advancing network upgrades. Implementing the "broadband upgrade" special program, deploying 5G-A networks and 10-gigabit optical networks in urban areas and key scenarios, and promoting the transition from "dual gigabit" to "dual 10-gigabit." Accelerating the development of "intelligent connectivity" in mobile IoT. Strengthening the construction of computing power networks, and deeply implementing the city-level "millisecond computing" special action. Iteration means accelerating technological iteration. Speeding up 6G R&D, and proactively planning and nurturing the 6G application industry ecosystem. Enhancing the layout of next-generation optical communications and quantum information R&D. Deepening means promoting deeper applications. Accelerating the integration of 5G, industrial internet, gigabit optical networks, and computing power into industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, culture and tourism, education, and healthcare, to comprehensively serve the digital and intelligent development of the economy and society. That concludes my response, thank you.
Significant progress in the digital industry during the 14th Five-Year Plan period in terms of scale, innovation capability, and enabling applications
Reporter: Since the 14th Five-Year Plan, the speed of digital technology innovation in China has continuously accelerated, and the digital industry has rapidly developed. Could you please tell us about the characteristics? Thank you.
Zhang Yunming: Thank you for your question. I will answer this. The digital industry is a key support for the deep integration of the real economy and the digital economy, and it is also an important carrier for developing new quality productive forces. Since the initiation of the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China's digital industry has experienced rapid development, with continuous improvements in quality and efficiency, achieving significant progress in three key areas: scale and volume, innovation capability, and enabling applications.
The scale and volume have continued to expand, with major provinces playing an increasingly prominent role as stabilizers for industrial development. Preliminary estimates indicate that by the end of 2025, the revenue of China's digital industry reached approximately 38.3 trillion yuan, with profits of 3.1 trillion yuan, representing cumulative growth of about 39.5% and 48.4%, respectively, compared to the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2020). In 2025, the provinces and cities of Guangdong, Jiangsu, Beijing, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Shandong, Sichuan, Fujian, Anhui, and Hubei ranked among the top 10 in terms of digital industry revenue nationwide, contributing over 90% to the growth of the national digital industry revenue.
Innovation capability has accelerated its release, with the role of fostering new momentum as an accelerator becoming more prominent. Innovations in the software industry have continuously emerged, the ecosystem for basic software has continued to improve, and the number of devices equipped with the OpenHarmony operating system has approached 1.2 billion. The artificial intelligence industry has flourished, with a series of groundbreaking innovations continuously emerging and a growing variety of end-use products becoming increasingly abundant. Digital products in new fields and tracks are driving a new round of consumption upgrades, becoming new growth points for economic development.
Enabling applications have advanced in depth, with the role of digital-real integration as a connector becoming more prominent. Integrated applications of the industrial internet have achieved full coverage across major industrial categories, initially establishing a multi-level and systematic industrial internet platform system, with the number of industrial equipment connections on key national platforms exceeding 100 million units (sets). Digital-intelligent technologies have been deeply integrated into core production and manufacturing processes, with 100 high-level 5G factories reaching globally leading standards, achieving average capacity increases of 25%, product quality improvements of 21%, and operational cost reductions of 19%. In collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, support has been provided to 101 pilot cities for the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises, promoting the digital transformation of 45,000 small and medium-sized enterprises through a "point-line-surface" approach.
Moving forward, we will continue to accurately grasp the trends and patterns of digital industry development, accelerate technological innovation and enabling applications, strengthen standard leadership and ecosystem building, enhance policy coordination and factor support, and intensify efforts to promote the high-quality development of the digital industry. That concludes my response. Thank you.
The 2025 "Ten Practical Actions for Warm Information and Communication Services" Achieved Positive Results
Reporter: We understand that the information and communication industry is closely related to everyone's daily life. May I ask what measures the MIIT has taken in 2025 to promote the industry's services for people's livelihoods? How will you further advance information and communication services to make them more convenient, beneficial, and favorable for the people? Thank you.
Xie Cun: Thank you for your question. Information and communication services are closely related to the immediate interests and experiences of the general public. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has always adhered to a people-centered development philosophy, taking practical measures to improve people's livelihoods. In H1 2025, we guided the release of the "Ten Practical Deeds for Warm-hearted Information and Communication Services." Since the launch of this initiative, a series of positive outcomes have been achieved:
First, the handling and use of telecommunications services have become more convenient. "Online processing" now covers almost all types of telecom services, with over 91% of transactions conducted online. Video customer service has served more than 60 million users, reducing the need for people to make physical visits and making things easier for them. We organized basic telecom enterprises to publish standardized telephone marketing measures, centrally display telecom tariff plans, upgrade services such as capping excess data usage, and provide a 7-day appointment service for broadband cancellation. For key scenarios like automatic renewals, users are reminded via SMS and phone calls, making consumption more transparent and reassuring.
Second, digital services for the elderly have become more considerate. Basic telecom enterprises have fully covered their own business halls with dedicated love seats, providing priority green channels and auxiliary devices for seniors, and accelerating the promotion of "door-to-door services" and "one-on-one teaching" for the elderly. The "one-click access to human customer service" senior hotline has served over 650 million people. A total of 3,092 websites and apps closely related to the lives of the elderly have completed age-friendly and accessibility renovations, continuously enhancing the convenience and accessibility of services.
Third, the use of recycled numbers has become safer. Before issuing new numbers, basic telecom enterprises refreshed over 250 million recycled numbers and unlinked more than 1 billion internet applications. They launched an "active refresh" service on official apps and mini-programs, supporting the unbinding of 239 commonly used internet applications, and processed over 360 million unbinding requests for more than 5.8 million users.
Fourth, the legitimate rights and interests of users are better protected. We have promoted end-user enterprises to add features that record the use of sensitive permissions such as microphones, cameras, and location, allowing users to view and disable these permissions at will, thus better protecting personal information security. We have also promoted the transparency of algorithmic recommendations, providing users with easy options to turn off personalized recommendation services. We have introduced "do not disturb" services for calls and messages, offering innovative functions such as smart answering, call verification reminders, and international call protection, helping to safeguard the tranquility of users' lives.
Moving forward, we will continue to focus on the concerns and expectations of the public, further implementing the "Ten Practical Deeds for Warm-hearted Information and Communication Services," and striving to enhance the supply of digital services, promoting clear and worry-free consumption. We will strengthen the promotion of digital aging development achievements, providing more high-quality and convenient digital products and services for the elderly and people with disabilities. Expand the coverage of "Secondary Number Renewal" and promote its integration with more internet applications closely related to people's livelihoods. Improve the regular and long-term governance mechanism for personal information protection in apps, enhancing the public's sense of gain, happiness, and security. That's all from me, thank you.
Continue to promote technological innovation and iterative upgrades in humanoid robots, driving the development of the embodied AI industry.
Reporter: Over the past year, the humanoid robot industry has developed rapidly. What level has China's humanoid robot industry achieved in terms of whole-machine development, breakthroughs in core components, and commercialization scenarios? What will be the focus of industrial cultivation in the next step? Thank you.
Zhang Yunming: Thank you for your question. I will answer it. From its stunning debut at the 2025 Spring Festival Gala to competing alongside athletes in sports events, humanoid robots have demonstrated their "kung fu mode," and their rapid development is evident to all. Driven by artificial intelligence, the industry has evolved beyond expectations. In 2025, the number of domestic whole-machine enterprises exceeded 140, and over 330 humanoid robot products were released. The industry widely regards 2025 as the first year of mass production for humanoid robots, with the industry poised for takeoff and promising prospects.
Over the past year, following the approach of "innovation-driven development, scenario traction, and ecological synergy," we have made significant progress in humanoid robot technology and products. Currently, humanoid robots in China are capable of "standing steadily, walking stably, and running quickly," accelerating their transition from "moving on stage" and "running in competitions" to "being used in households" and "working in factories." We have focused on enhancing "hard power" to solidify the technological foundation. We supported Beijing and Shanghai in establishing innovation centers for embodied AI and humanoid robots, developed open-source public version robots such as "Qinglong" and "Tiangong," and the "Kaiwu" operating system, driving breakthroughs in basic software and hardware. We have promoted "rapid deployment" to advance application demonstrations. By deeply exploring high-value scenarios such as humanoid robots serving people's livelihoods and performing tasks, we have facilitated the large-scale development of new technologies and products. We have fostered a "favorable ecosystem" to strengthen multi-party collaboration. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology established the Humanoid Robot and Embodied AI Standardization Technical Committee, with active participation from over 70 top-tier enterprises and research institutions. In the field of embodied AI, we supported the construction of national AI application pilot bases, creating an integrated innovation hub for humanoid robots and embodied AI covering "R&D-design-testing-manufacturing-application."
In the next step, we will continue to promote technological innovation and iterative upgrades in humanoid robots, using humanoid robots as a small entry point to drive the development of the larger embodied AI industry. We will focus on "advancing technology" by continuously organizing tasks such as open challenges and missions, deploying national major scientific and technological projects, and enhancing the technical level of large models, integrated joints, computing power chips, and other areas. Continue to "Ensure Safety" by enhancing the quality, cybersecurity, and data security inspection and detection of humanoid robots, and by conducting research and management services related to scientific and technological ethics, thereby achieving high-quality development underpinned by high-level security. Accelerate "Strengthening the Ecosystem" by increasing the support from the National AI Industry Investment Fund for humanoid robots, establishing open-source communities for humanoid robots, and issuing the Comprehensive Standardization System Development Guidelines for Humanoid Robots and Embodied AI, thereby promoting the global sharing of innovative achievements. That concludes my response. Thank you.
Three Measures Have Significantly Enhanced the Development Level and Supply Assurance Capability of New Materials
Reporter: We have observed that in recent years, China's new materials industry has entered a period of accelerated development, with its industrial scale continuously expanding. Could you elaborate on the efforts made to promote the innovation, R&D, and practical application of new materials? How will the development of the new materials industry be further advanced? Thank you.
Tao Qing: Thank you for your question. President Xi Jinping emphasized that the new materials industry is a strategic and foundational sector, as well as a key area of high-tech competition, and we must strive to catch up and keep pace. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has thoroughly studied and implemented President Xi Jinping’s important directives, working alongside relevant departments and local governments to vigorously promote the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation in new materials, resulting in a significant improvement in the development level and supply assurance capability of new materials. We have focused on three key areas of work:
The first area is strengthening key breakthroughs. We have organized and implemented national major science and technology projects and the industrial foundation reengineering project, reinforced the leading role of enterprises in innovation, established upstream-downstream cooperation mechanisms centered on key downstream application fields, and carried out systematic collaborative innovation. Since the 14th Five-Year Plan period, a number of key materials have been successfully developed. For example, high-performance carbon fiber composites were applied for the first time globally in the main load-bearing structures of commercially operated metro train bodies, achieving an 11% reduction in vehicle weight and an annual reduction of approximately 130 mt in CO₂ emissions, thereby advancing urban rail transit toward lightweight and green upgrades.
The second area is strengthening promotion and application. Focusing on the bottlenecks faced by new materials during their initial market entry, we have deeply implemented the first-batch new materials insurance compensation policy, expanded the scope of supported materials and duration for the first batch, alleviated user procurement concerns, and encouraged local governments to tailor the first-batch policy according to local conditions to accelerate the promotion of first-batch materials. To date, new materials products with a cumulative value exceeding 55 billion yuan have been introduced to the market, supporting endeavors such as the Shenzhou-21 manned spacecraft in reaching for the stars, enabling the C919 large aircraft to soar through the skies, and facilitating the operation of smart EMUs across China.
The third area is strengthening capacity building. A layout has been established, forming a key platform system for new materials that covers the entire process, including material R&D, pilot-scale maturation, material production, testing and verification, and material application. This accelerates the synchronized testing, verification, and iterative upgrading of new materials and end-use products. Cumulatively, it has provided nearly 3,000 batches of new material application verification services, over 1.5 million testing and evaluation services, and served 230,000 enterprises. More than 500 new material standards have been issued, leading the optimization and upgrading of advanced basic materials, key strategic materials, and cutting-edge new materials.
Next, our ministry will resolutely implement the decisions and plans of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council, fully leverage the advantages of the new-type national system and the super-large market, and base our efforts on meeting the practical needs of key application fields. With the goal of leading industrial development through material innovation, and focusing on advanced basic materials, key strategic materials, cutting-edge new materials, and "AI + materials" as development directions, we will promote collaborative innovation across the entire chain of advanced materials upstream and downstream. We will strengthen policy coordination, financial support, labour supply, and factor guarantees, create a favorable ecosystem for the R&D and application of new materials, and comprehensively enhance the innovation capacity and development efficiency of the new materials industry. That is all from me. Thank you.
