Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has called for accelerated digital transformation in the manufacturing sector and support for enterprises utilizing specialized, sophisticated technologies to create unique and novel products.
His remarks were made during a research trip to Suzhou, in Jiangsu Province, from Tuesday to Wednesday.
During his visit, Premier Li toured various facilities, including an industrial automation solutions provider’s production workshops, where he was briefed on the R&D of industrial robot components and other products. He emphasized the need for advanced, intelligent, and greener development within the manufacturing sector. He urged enterprises to align with national strategies and capitalize on development opportunities through technological innovation.
At an AI company in Suzhou, Li Qiang was informed about their R&D efforts related to AI software and chips. He explored their solutions for the automotive and home appliance sectors and experienced large language model (LLM) technologies firsthand. Li noted that the rapid rise of LLMs has significantly transformed R&D and manufacturing methods. He called for leveraging China’s market size, diverse demand, and rich application scenarios to foster the integration of AI with the real economy.
Li also led a symposium during his trip, underscoring the importance of digital transformation in the manufacturing industry to enhance China’s manufacturing capabilities. He highlighted the need to harness AI, accelerate core technology breakthroughs, and build robust digital infrastructure.
He particularly praised “little giant” firms—small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in China known for their specialization in niche markets and cutting-edge technologies. These firms, he noted, are pivotal in driving the digital transformation of manufacturing and cultivating new, high-quality productive forces. Li encouraged these firms to innovate continuously and adopt a global perspective for growth.
Additionally, Li called on all levels of government to bolster policy support and create a conducive environment for more SMEs to thrive and excel.
The visit underscores China’s commitment to advancing its industrial system through technological innovation and digital transformation, aligning with broader national strategies to enhance economic resilience and global competitiveness.
