Ministry of Industry and Information Technology: Steady Progress in Equipment Upgrades in the Industrial Sector, Accelerated Pace of Enterprise Technological Transformation

On September 24, the National Development and Reform Commission held a special press conference to introduce the progress, achievements, and typical practices of the equipment renewal campaign. Zhang Jianhua, Deputy Director of the Planning Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, was invited to attend the press conference and stated that overall, the equipment renewal work in the industrial sector is progressing steadily, and enterprises are accelerating their pace of technological transformation.

"Next, we will thoroughly ensure the implementation of various tasks related to equipment renewal in the industrial sector, strengthen standard guidance, increase policy support, and enhance factor guarantees to promote new and greater achievements in industrial equipment renewal," said Zhang Jianhua.

The following is the transcript.

Reporter: We understand that the scale of existing equipment in China's industrial sector is large, which means there is great potential for renewal. Could you please tell us the main directions for equipment renewal in the industrial sector? How is the progress?

Zhang Jianhua: Thank you for your question. Hello, reporters! Industry is both the research and production department for various types of equipment and the main user of a large number of advanced devices. Equipment renewal and technological transformation in the industrial sector help expand effective investment and increase the proportion of advanced production capacity. It benefits both the present and the long term. In 2023, the national investment scale in industrial equipment was about 4.4 trillion yuan, accounting for more than 70% of the total social equipment investment. As the reporter just mentioned, the industrial sector has a large stock of equipment, with ample space and potential for renewal.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology conscientiously implements the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, jointly issuing the "Implementation Plan for Promoting Equipment Renewal in the Industrial Sector" with six other departments. Focusing on advancing new industrialization, it takes large-scale equipment renewal as a key measure, implements the manufacturing technology transformation and upgrading project, adheres to market-driven promotion, standard guidance, and integrated software and hardware updates, and carries out four major actions: advanced equipment renewal, digital transformation, green equipment promotion, and intrinsic safety level improvement, to promote high-end, intelligent, and green development of manufacturing. We have compiled the "Guidelines for Equipment Renewal and Technological Transformation in Key Industrial Sectors," proposing target tasks, standard bases, and key directions for 27 key industries and four fields: software, networks, green, and safety, for reference by localities, enterprises, and financial institutions when carrying out equipment renewal work.

Since the launch of equipment renewal work in the industrial sector, localities have attached great importance and taken active actions. All 31 provinces nationwide have held special deployment meetings to study and refine provincial implementation plans and provide supporting policy support based on actual conditions. Local industry and information technology authorities have promoted policies through various forms such as supply-demand matchmaking meetings and enterprise training sessions, guiding and assisting enterprises in equipment renewal and technological transformation. For example, Jilin has carried out special guidance on "Intelligent Transformation and Digital Transition" for small and medium-sized enterprises; Hubei has held "Manufacturing Leaders" industrial chain and supply chain matchmaking activities; Shandong has hosted exhibitions and fairs on equipment renewal and technological transformation in the industrial sector, creating a working model of "typical guidance, supply-demand connection, and service empowerment."

Overall, the equipment renewal work in the industrial sector is progressing steadily, and enterprises are accelerating their pace of technological transformation. From January to August, national industrial equipment investment grew by 11.1%, and investment in technological transformation grew by 10.6%, with growth rates 2.4 and 5.9 percentage points higher than the full year of 2023, respectively. In the second quarter, the penetration rate of digital R&D design tools in nationally above-scale industrial enterprises reached 83.1%, and the numerical control rate of key processes reached 64.9%, increasing by 1.1 and 1.9 percentage points respectively compared to the end of 2023.

Next, we will thoroughly ensure the implementation of various tasks related to equipment renewal in the industrial sector, strengthen standard guidance, increase policy support, and enhance factor guarantees to promote new and greater achievements in industrial equipment renewal.