Chinese manufacturers are constantly shifting their focus from scale and quantity to quality and innovation during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), leading the new pattern of world industrial development with eye-catching achievements.
China has kept strengthening the research and development of key core technologies and their applications during the period, driving the development of new quality productive forces with sci-tech innovation.
One typical highlight of China's manufacturing is foldable, curved, or retractable screens used for mobile phones and tablets. Over one million of these high-tech screens are now produced in China every day. One single screen could be the subject of over 18,000 patents.
From steel softer than paper to glass harder than diamond, from a three-hour "flash delivery" to space to a ship that is expected to penetrate the earth's crust, Chinese manufacturing is constantly pushing the boundaries of imagination.
Over the past five years, the number of China's "Lighthouse Factories" has increased sixfold, ranking first in the world. In the field of advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and big data technologies are driving traditional manufacturing towards intelligent manufacturing.
The WEF, along with consulting firm McKinsey, launched the Global Lighthouse Network in 2018 to identify manufacturers that are actively pushing toward the "fourth industrial revolution" by pursuing high efficiency, intelligence and green technologies.
Over the past five years, China's manufacturing value added has increased by eight trillion yuan (about 1.1 trillion U.S. dollars), contributing more than 30 percent to global manufacturing growth.
China's manufacturing moves towards high-quality, innovation over past 5 years
Protesters in Washington D.C. joined the "Free America" walkout on Tuesday to rally against U.S. government policies, coinciding with the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump's second term.
The Washington demonstration was part of more than 800 walkouts staged across the United States and in countries including Canada, France and Italy.
Organizers urged participants to leave work and school and avoid shopping, aiming to disrupt daily routines, draw attention online, and flood social media with images of the protest.
Many demonstrators voiced deep anxiety about the country's trajectory.
"I'm worried about the future of this country. I mean, we're on a path that is just unbelievable," said a protester.
"Utter disregard for the constitution. I mean, we don't even have a president. A president of the United States would abide by the U.S. Constitution," said another protester.
The protest focused on a wide range of grievances, specifically the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, the deployment of the National Guard to U.S. cities, and what demonstrators perceive as an erosion of constitutional rights.
On January 7, Renee Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis during a federal enforcement operation.
"All immigration policy, the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis. I mean, I get a visceral feeling when I see stuff like that. And I just don't know how to respond. And this is one way that I can do. It may not have much of an effect, but at least I feel like I'm doing something," said a protester.
"Work and school can wait, but right now, we need to protect our America," said another protester.
Broader social demands, including a guaranteed living wage and universal health care, were also highlighted.
Organizers hoped these walkouts will set the stage for what they call "Bigger Fights Ahead."
Protesters in Washington join "Free America" walkout against US policies
