China.org.cn | May 26, 2026
Speakers:
Mr. Zhang Yunming, vice minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT)
Ms. Tao Qing, spokesperson of the MIIT and director general of the Bureau of Operation Monitoring and Coordination of the MIIT
Mr. Xie Cun, spokesperson of the MIIT and director general of the Information and Communications Development Department of the MIIT
Chairperson:
Ms. Jia Huili, deputy director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO
Date:
April 21, 2026
Jia Huili:
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to this press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO). This is a regular briefing on China's economic data. Today, we have invited Mr. Zhang Yunming, vice minister of Ministry of the Industry and Information Technology, to brief you on China's industry and information technology development in the first quarter of 2026, and to take your questions. Also joining us today are Ms. Tao Qing, spokesperson of the MIIT and director general of the Bureau of Operation Monitoring and Coordination of the MIIT; and Mr. Xie Cun, spokesperson of the MIIT and director general of the Information and Communications Development Department of the MIIT.
Now, I'll give the floor to Mr. Zhang for his introduction.
Zhang Yunming:
Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the media, good morning. First, I would like to thank you for your continued interest in and support for the development of the industry and information technology sector.
Since the beginning of this year, under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the MIIT has thoroughly applied the guiding principles from the 20th CPC National Congress and the plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, earnestly implemented the arrangements made at the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and the Central Conference on Economic Work, and fully acted on the plans made at the annual sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC) and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). We have actively worked with all local authorities and departments to take the lead and act proactively. The overall development of industry and information technology got off to a good start in the first quarter of this year.
First, the industrial economy made steady progress, with stronger growth momentum. We have fully leveraged the combined effects of policies on major national strategies and security capacity building in key areas, as well as large-scale equipment upgrades and consumer goods trade-in programs. Efforts have been made to guide local authorities to step up the implementation of policies. In the first quarter, the value added of industrial enterprises above designated size increased by 6.1% year on year. All 31 provincial-level regions recorded growth, with more than 80% of industrial sectors expanding, and industry contributing nearly 40% to overall economic growth. Efforts to expand digital industries accelerated, alongside faster development of new information infrastructure. In the first quarter, the total volume of telecommunication services rose by 8.3% year on year, up 0.6 percentage point from a year earlier, while revenue in the software and information technology services sector increased by 11.7% in the first two months, up 1.8 percentage points year on year.
Second, industrial technological innovation was further deepened and substantive advances were made, unlocking greater growth potential. Efforts have been made to promote deeper integration between technological and industrial innovation, accelerating the transformation of innovative achievements into productive forces. To date, 21 national-level manufacturing pilot-scale platforms and 14 outstanding technology enterprise incubators have been selected, helping build a seamless channel from "laboratory" to "production line." In the first quarter, 304 industry standards were released to support the upgrading of traditional industries, the growth of emerging industries and the development of future industries. The value added of high-tech manufacturing enterprises above designated size rose by 12.5% year on year. The application of new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) accelerated in the sectors of electronics and consumer goods, with a growing range of end products including drones and AI glasses. Output of products such as industrial robots and integrated circuits increased by 33.2% and 24.3% year on year, respectively.
Third, advanced manufacturing gathered pace, further unleashing industrial vitality. Continued efforts were made to optimize the industrial structure. The share of value added by equipment manufacturing enterprises above designated size increased by 1.4 percentage points year on year. The first batch of 16 cities to build national demonstration zones for new industrialization was released. The total number of national high-tech industrial development zones reached 179. We have intensified efforts to promote the intelligent upgrading of manufacturing. A total of 37 smart manufacturing system solution projects under the "open-call" mechanism were completed and accepted, while seven new national standards and two new industry standards for smart manufacturing were issued. Work on energy conservation and carbon reduction in the industrial sector was further strengthened, with pilot programs launched for the comprehensive application of hydrogen energy. A total of 2,038 new green factories and 128 new green industrial parks were newly designated, while energy consumption per unit of value added of industrial enterprises above designated size continued to decline.
Fourth, the quality and efficiency of services for businesses improved, further strengthening their capabilities. A tiered cultivation system for high-quality enterprises was refined, and management measures for the cultivation of "quality" small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were issued. Special initiatives, including the "High-Quality Enterprises Enter Campuses" talent recruitment program and talent services for SMEs, were carried out, while efforts to clear overdue payments owed to enterprises were intensified. Competition order in key industries was further regulated, with stronger measures taken to address online disorder in the auto sector and to ensure companies honor the 60-day payment commitment. Continued efforts were made to strengthen capacity monitoring and regulation, curb disorderly price competition, and enhance product quality supervision. As a result, competition order in industries such as new energy vehicles (NEVs) and photovoltaics continued to improve, with prices of products including photovoltaic modules, lithium carbonate, and power-grade lithium iron phosphate generally rebounding.
Currently, external uncertainties are increasing. However, the fundamentals supporting China's industrial economy — including a complete industrial system, strong resilience and vast market — remain unchanged, and the overall trend of steady improvement will continue. Going forward, we will adhere to the general principle of pursuing progress while maintaining stability, keep in mind both domestic and international imperatives, better coordinate development and security, and make coordinated efforts to stabilize growth, strengthen innovation, promote integration, improve governance and prevent risks. These efforts will further enhance the quality and efficiency of industrial development and ensure a solid start to the 15th Five-Year Plan period.
That is all for my introduction. Next, my colleagues and I will be happy to take your questions. Thank you.
Jia Huili:
Thank you for your introduction, Mr. Zhang. The floor is now open for questions. Please identify the media outlet you represent before asking questions.
