Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing concluded a three-day inspection tour of Jilin province on Saturday, calling for the strengthening of advanced manufacturing. the visit focused on developing self-reliant industrial chains through the integration of scientific and industrial innovation.
Modernizing the old industrial northeast in Jilin
The selection of Jilin province as the site for this high-level inspection is a significant signal from Beijing... Jilin is located in China's old industrial northeast,a region traditionally defined by heavy industry, state-owned enterprises, and economic growth rates that often lag behind the country's coastal tech hubs.
By focusing on this specific geography, Zhang Guoqing—who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee—is highlighting a broader national trend. This move suggests that Beijing intends to spread industrial upgrading across the country, ensuring that the modernization of the manufacturing sector is not confined to established eastern provinces but reaches the traditional industrial heartland.
The push for 'self-reliance and controllability' in core technologies
A central theme of the visit was the urgent need for China to achieve "self-reliance and controllability" within its industrial chains. as reported by state media on October 10, Zhang emphasized that advanced manufacturing must be expanded to serve as the backbone of a modern industrial system.
This policy priority is a direct response to global supply-chain disruptions and increasing export controls on critical technologies. According to the report, Zhang urged enterprises to invest heavily in basic research to achieve breakthroughs in both "key core technologies" and "generic technologies ." The focus on generic technologies is particularly strategic, as these foundational advancements can provide a lifting effect across multiple downstream industries simultaneously.
Integrating research instruments and intelligent manufacturing
To achieve these goals, the Vice Premier called for a deeper integration of scientific innovation with industrial application.. This includes the rapid adoption of digital, intelligent, and green technologies to upgrade traditional manufacturing processes. Zhang specifically highlighted the importance of strengthening "common supporting capabilities" for research instruments, such as standards, metrology, and pilot-scale verification.
The strategy relies on a clear division of labor among various actors. While large enterprises are expected to shoulder the burden of basic research, national laboratories, high-level research universities, and leading sci-tech enterprises are tasked with providing the foundational scientific support. This ecosystem is designed to ensure that independently developed technologies can be effectively tested, inspected, and eventually scaled for wide commercial use.
The lack of specific budgets and named corporate partners
While the directive provides a clear ideological and strategic direction, several practical details remain unverified. The report does not cite any specific funding figures, targeted tax incentives, or particular policy documents that will facilitate this transition in Jilin. Furthermore, no specific company names were mentioned as the primary drivers of this new manufacturing push, leaving it unclear which corporate champions will be expected to lead the charge in the province.
Comments 0