Chinese premier urges promoting deep integration of AI, advanced manufacturing

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday emphasized efforts to promote deep integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced manufacturing.

During an inspection tour in Beijing on the day, Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, stressed the need to promote the deep integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced manufacturing, adhere to innovation-driven development, focus on application-oriented approaches, actively promote the iterative upgrading of intelligent robots, and vigorously advance the comprehensive and in-depth application of AI to empower the manufacturing sector.

Inspecting Beijing Innovation Center of Humanoid Robotics Co., Ltd. and Xiaomi Auto Technology Co., Ltd. in the Chinese capital, Li listened to introduction of technological innovation and industrial development of intelligent robots, observed demonstrations of multi-scenario applications of the companies' research and development achievements, and entered the production workshop to learn about intelligent manufacturing, quality inspection and other aspects of the enterprises.

Pointing out that intelligent robots, which integrate new technologies such as AI large models, high-end manufacturing, and new materials, serve as a key carrier for the integrated development of AI and advanced manufacturing, Li called for efforts to strengthen basic research, tackle key core technologies, explore cutting-edge technologies, build platforms for technological innovation and industrial services, and accelerate innovative breakthroughs in products, key components, and intelligent decision-making and control systems, so as to provide strong support for the high-quality development of the intelligent robotics industry.

Emphasizing that the vitality of science and technology lies in its application, Li said the intelligent robotics industry holds vast potential for growth.

He urged efforts to leverage China's strengths such as its massive market size, comprehensive industrial chains, and diverse application scenarios, make full use of supportive policies such as large-scale equipment upgrades and incentives for the initial application of newly-developed equipment, encourage government departments and state-owned enterprises to open up their application scenarios, support the accelerated large-scale deployment of intelligent robots while ensuring safety, and continuously address challenges and improve performance through practical application.

The accelerating deep integration of AI with advanced manufacturing is profoundly transforming production models and industrial structures, Li pointed out.

Efforts should be made to implement the "AI+" initiative in the manufacturing sector, transform and upgrade traditional industries, continuously expand emerging industries, and strive to foster future industries, said the premier.

He urged measures to accelerate the development of next-generation intelligent manufacturing, strengthen standard-based guidance, enhance the pillar role of talents, ensure security, support the development and application of industry-specific large models and intelligent agents, encourage the research and development of next-generation intelligent equipment and products, advance the digital and intelligent transformation of key industries, and develop and empower application service providers, thereby promoting a comprehensive leap forward of the industrial system.

The premier stressed the need to give full play to the principal role of enterprises in technological innovation, support more companies in increasing their research and development investment, strengthen collaboration among industries, universities, and research institutes to tackle key challenges, and promote the intelligent upgrading of the entire process from research, development and design to manufacturing, operations management, and after-sales service, so as to create new business models for smart products and services, better guide industrial transformation and upgrading, and meet the needs of the public.

Chinese premier urges promoting deep integration of AI, advanced manufacturing

China's service sector has maintained steady growth since the beginning of this year, with structural upgrading, steady growth of new drivers, and further release of development potential, driven by various measures to enhance capacity and quality of the service sector, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Monday.

In the first four months of this year, China's modern service sector has shown solid growth.

In April alone, the production index for information transmission, software and information technology services increased by 11.7 percent year on year, significantly faster than the overall growth of the service sector, according to NBS data.

The high-end development trend of the service sector, represented by high-tech services, has become increasingly evident.

In the January-April period, investment in high-tech services rose by 10.5 percent year on year, with investment growth in information services and inspection and testing services both maintaining double-digit levels.

This year, consumer spending on residential services has grown steadily, while emerging service sectors have continued to play a stronger driving role.

From January to April, online retail sales of services increased by 8.3 percent year on year. The platform economy continued to develop, with active transactions in internet services.

Against the backdrop of green and low-carbon transformation, the construction and application of charging facilities have accelerated, leading to rapid growth in related services.

During the first four months, transaction volume on major charging platforms grew by more than 30 percent.

"Overall, the service sector grew steadily in April, with structural upgrading, expanding new drivers and continued release of development potential. Looking ahead, China's service sector has vast room and great potential for development," said Fu Linghui, spokesman of the NBS, at a press conference in Beijing.

China's service sector sees steady growth in first four months