Consolidate the basic foundation and cultivate new momentum, strive to create a new situation of new industrialization - Interview with Li Lecheng, Secretary of the Party Committee and Minister of Industry and Information Technology.

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, January 12th, by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhou Yuan The "15th Five-Year Plan" proposal puts "building a modern industrial system and consolidating and strengthening the foundation of the real economy" at the top of the strategic tasks. The recently held Central Economic Work Conference laid out a series of deployments around promoting new industrialization. 2026 is the starting year of the "15th Five-Year Plan". How to ensure the steady growth of the industrial economy? How to accelerate the integration of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation? Xinhua News Agency reporters interviewed Li Lecheng, Secretary of the Party Group and Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Focus on four aspects to promote the steady and far-reaching development of the industrial economy Q: What measures will be taken in 2026 to maintain the steady growth of the industrial economy? A: Over the past year, the industrial and information technology system has adhered to the general tone of seeking progress while maintaining stability, pushing the industrial economy forward in the face of difficulties, towards new and superior development, achieving qualitative and effective improvement and reasonable growth in quantity, demonstrating strong resilience and vitality. From January to November 2025, the value added of industrial enterprises above designated size increased by 6% year-on-year, and the value added of high-tech manufacturing and equipment manufacturing above designated scale increased by 9.2% and 9.3% respectively, indicating a significant acceleration in the upgrading of industries and the continuous strengthening of new momentum. In 2026, China's industrial economy development has not changed its advantages of strong resilience, great potential, and vitality. Of course, it also faces some risks and challenges. As long as we have confidence, face difficulties head-on, use innovative ideas and reform measures, fully utilize and make good use of our advantages, we can completely promote the steady and far-reaching development of the industrial economy. We will focus on four aspects of work: "stability", " expansion", "innovation", and "growth". "Stability" means stabilizing the growth of key industries and key regions. The value-added in key industries and regions accounts for 80% of the total industrial output. We will give full play to the advantages of key industries in terms of scale, long industrial chains, and strong driving force, and comprehensively implement stabilizing growth work plans in ten key industries such as steel, non-ferrous metals, and petrochemicals, continue to support industrial provinces in shouldering major responsibilities, and strengthen policy support and factor guarantees. "Expansion" means tapping and expanding effective demand. We will strengthen supply-demand matching, actively promote flexible manufacturing, accelerate the innovative application of new technologies and models such as artificial intelligence, establish a Chinese consumer brand lineup by sector, and guide enterprises to increase production of marketable products. Accelerate the initiation of major projects in the "15th Five-Year Plan", and strengthen the coordination of industrial and trade policies. "Innovation" means promoting value creation and winning with quality. We will coordinate the implementation of actions to rejuvenate traditional industries and develop and strengthen emerging industries to create new momentum. We will further promote major technological transformation and upgrading projects, strengthen standard leadership, quality improvement, and brand building. "Growth" means further enhancing the vitality of main business entities. We will improve the system for cultivating high-quality enterprises, pay high attention to helping enterprises, especially small, medium, and micro enterprises, improve their cash flow, and strengthen efforts to clear overdue payments to enterprises. Strengthen the monitoring and early warning of capacity in key industries and capacity governance, consolidate and expand the comprehensive rectification effects of "inner competition". Strengthen the foundation to enhance efficiency, and promote industrial upgrading to a new layout Q: From which aspects will efforts be made to accelerate the construction of a modern industrial system with advanced manufacturing as the core? A: To build a modern industrial system, advanced manufacturing must be the backbone. During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, we will focus on achieving the key task of new industrialization, promoting high-quality development as the theme, deepening the development of intelligent, green, and integrated manufacturing, maintaining a reasonable proportion of manufacturing in the economy, and making the foundation of the real economy more stable, resilient, and efficient. First, we will promote the "rejuvenation" of traditional industries. Traditional industries form the foundation of the modern industrial system. We will implement the action plan for the rejuvenation of traditional industries and develop transformation and upgrade plans for each industry sector. We will carry out the "artificial intelligence +" action, explore the creation of a number of zero-carbon factories and zero-carbon industrial parks. Second, we will accelerate the "rising" of emerging industries. Emerging industries are the new pillars and engines leading the development of industrial upgrading. We will implement the action plan to develop and strengthen emerging industries to create new momentum, establish a number of national demonstration bases for the development of emerging industries. We will carry out large-scale demonstrations of new technologies, products, and scenarios in the manufacturing industry to accelerate the development of emerging industries on a larger scale. Third, we will focus on the "layout" of future industries. We will further strengthen forward-looking planning and overall coordination, accelerate the establishment of mechanisms for increasing investment in future industries, and promote breakthroughs in future manufacturing, future information, future materials, etc. Focus on quantum technology, humanoid robots, brain-machine interfaces, deep-sea and polar technology, 6G, and other areas, strengthen technological research, product development, enterprise cultivation, and ecological construction. Fourth, we will deepen the "formation" of service-oriented manufacturing. Innovating and developing service-oriented manufacturing is an important path to enhance the overall efficiency of the industrial system. We will coordinate technological innovation, model innovation, product innovation, cultivate platform-based design, personalized customization, and other new models, strengthen flexible production, cloud manufacturing, and other new formats, and promote industrial design, research and development extension towards specialization and high-end of the value chain. Promote deep integration of the "two chains", comprehensively enhance industrial scientific and technological innovation capabilities Q: During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, what important breakthroughs have been made in the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation in the manufacturing industry? What are the considerations for the next step? A: During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, we have insisted on strengthening supply, building the main body, promoting transformation, and implementing various national science and technology projects such as the national key R&D program, initially establishing a system for cultivating high-quality enterprises at different levels, and laying out and constructing innovation and service platforms such as national manufacturing innovation centers. Through the efforts of all parties, some key technologies have been overcome, and a number of significant national achievements have been made, significantly increasing the industrial scientific and technological innovation capabilities. Next, we will focus on accelerating high-level self-reliance in science and technology, deepening the integration of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, comprehensively enhancing industrial scientific and technological innovation capabilities, and continuously fostering new productive forces. First, systematically increase high-quality scientific and technological supply. Plan national key science and technology projects, coordinate the promotion of industrial basic reconstruct... (Translated using Google Translate)