China Launches AI Plus Initiative for Manufacturing Sector

The Government of China is accelerating the digital transformation of its manufacturing sector through the AI Plus initiative, a core component of the 15th Five-Year Plan covering 2026 to 2030. This strategy aims to scale industrial automation and intelligence across the country, building upon a foundation of over 35,000 basic-level, 8,200 advanced-level, and 500 extraordinary smart factories established by the end of 2025.

Implementation is visible through several high-tech industrial deployments. Caihong Display Devices Company Limited utilized an industrial AI large model and automated production to break overseas monopolies on large-size substrate glass. Similarly, CNPC Baoji Petroleum Pipe Industry Co., Ltd. integrated industrial robots and real-time data monitoring to improve operational efficiency, while Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd. developed a digital simulation platform to reduce labor costs through customized mixed-line production.

Regional efforts have further expanded these upgrades. The Government of China has prioritized the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta regions, with Guangdong Province specifically assisting more than 50,000 major industrial enterprises in completing their digital transitions. These initiatives are monitored and reported by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.