Xi calls for expanding, strengthening advanced manufacturing

Chinese President Xi Jinping has consistently prioritized the development of advanced manufacturing, charting the course for building a manufacturing powerhouse through key instructions and directives.

In an instruction that was conveyed at a national conference on advanced manufacturing recently held in Beijing, Xi urged sustained efforts to expand and strengthen advanced manufacturing to provide strong support for advancing Chinese modernization.

He highlighted efforts to pursue smart, green and integrated development, and stressed to make the country's industrial chains more self-supporting and risk-resilient.

The president also emphasized the need to accelerate the development of a modernized industrial system with advanced manufacturing as the backbone, and reinforce the foundations of the real economy.

In May 2025, during a visit to a bearing production facility in Luoyang City, central China's Henan Province, Xi called for continuous efforts to build the manufacturing industry stronger to advance Chinese modernization.

"China has always adhered to the path of developing the real economy. From the past reliance on imported matches, soap and iron, to now becoming the world's largest manufacturing country, we have taken the right path. China must continue to strengthen the manufacturing sector and master manufacturing technologies independently to truly realize Chinese modernization. Our hope rests on you," Xi told the workers.

At the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, on March 5, 2024, Xi called for "prioritizing the building of a modern industrial system with advanced manufacturing clusters as its core" when he participated in a deliberation with fellow lawmakers from east China's Jiangsu Province.

At a symposium focused on the Yangtze River Economic Belt in Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu Province in November 2020, Xi urged efforts to "strengthen the dominant position of enterprises in innovation and foster advanced manufacturing clusters with international competitiveness."

At a symposium in Changsha City, capital of central China's Hunan Province in March 2024, Xi also called for efforts to "leverage the real economy and enhance the scale and strength of advanced manufacturing."

Xi calls for expanding, strengthening advanced manufacturing

Business people from Thailand are seeking closer cooperation with Chinese partners at the "Export to China" campaign of the 23rd China-ASEAM Expo, which kicked off Thursday in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

A total of 109 Thai companies are exhibiting agricultural and food products, beauty and personal care, logistics, textiles and many other products at the expo with Thailand serving as the thematic country for the "Export to China" campaign.

For many business representatives from Thailand, their message is the Chinese market remains highly attractive, and the future of China-Thailand cooperation looks increasingly promising.

"This is my 10th time attending the expo in Nanning, and every time the feedback has been excellent. After the expo, our agents distribute Thai products right here in Nanning, reaching customers across China," said a Thai exhibitor

For many Thai companies, the China-ASEAN Expo is more than a showcase, it is a gateway to China's vast consumer market.

"We’re here to see how Chinese consumers respond to our classic flavors, and to understand what they really want. This year, we also want to explore using Chinese materials to upgrade and innovate our products," said Zhang Zhengkun, a staff member of Waydhanar Company from Thailand.

The momentum behind the business cooperation is clear. From this January to August, total trade between China and Thailand reached 129.17 billion U.S. dollars, up 26.6 percent​ year on year.

China has remained Thailand's largest trading partner and its top export market for agricultural products for 13 consecutive years.

"China and Thailand share close cultures, especially in food, wellness, and traditional lifestyles. If we research and co-develop these products and services together, we can better serve markets in China, in Thailand, and around the world," said Yang Kaise, deputy secretary-general of Thai Chamber of Commerce in China.

Themed on "CAFTA 3.0 Opportunities, Better Life," the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit will run till Monday.

Thai businesses seek deeper trade ties at 23rd China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning