China's ministry of industry promotes ai-driven manufacturing and open-source models

At the 2026 World Manufacturing Conference, Yin Guobin, deputy minister of industry and information technology, emphasized the need to focus on next-generation smart manufacturing. He called for enhancing the innovation capacity and competitiveness of China's manufacturing sector to create new advantages. The ministry plans to boost the efficiency of the industrial innovation system by encouraging original research and critical technology development. Yin also highlighted the importance of fostering a robust ecosystem for advanced manufacturing, including the expansion of traditional industries and the growth of future sectors. A key initiative is the advancement of AI in manufacturing, with a focus on developing open-source base models and specialized models to strengthen the foundation of smart manufacturing. This strategy aims to drive green transformation and service-oriented manufacturing across the industry. The deputy minister also outlined plans to cultivate high-quality enterprises, including world-class companies and specialized 'small giants,' while promoting collaboration among businesses of all sizes. These efforts are part of a broader push to build globally competitive manufacturing clusters and support the development of innovative, sustainable industries.