The term “new quality productivity” has become the heartbeat of China’s development. For the second year in a row, this vision has been highlighted in the Chinese government’s work report, and its impact is already seen across the country. From cutting-edge robotics to green energy solutions, China is redefining what it means to innovate in the 21st century.
As highlighted in two recently concluded sessions (the annual general meeting of the Chinese National Congress and the Chinese National Political Council), technological and industrial innovation are the cornerstones of developing new quality productive power. This vision has already restructured the industry and created new opportunities both domestically and globally.
Deepseek or higher
While China’s open source AI model Deepseek has attracted global attention, the country’s innovations go far beyond AI. Imagine this: Autonomous suspended monorails in Wuhan, the largest city in central China, offer a smooth commuting experience while fitting well with modern urban planning. At the same time, in Zinan, the capital of Shandong Province in eastern China, the robotic arms perform laser pre-welding in the dark, so the “light-out” factory is ham, saving energy while increasing productivity. These are not concept videos, they are live demonstrations of high-tech industry transformation.
China’s dynamic innovative power is poised to revolutionize transportation, manufacturing, disaster response, and pave the way for a more intelligent future.
Future prevention progress: industry of tomorrow
Future industries, as the name suggests, are predicting what developments will look like in the coming years. This year’s government work report highlights frontier fields such as biomanufacturing, quantum technology, embodied AI and 6G technology.
One concept that caught my attention immediately embodies AI. Unlike traditional AI, which is limited to algorithms and data, embodied intelligence interacts and perceives the real world through physical entities such as robots. Imagine a robot like the PM01 prototype where a robot like Xiaoxing Max scales the Great Wall or performs a gravitational flip. These physical avatars promise breakthroughs in areas ranging from precision surgeries to dangerous rescue missions to filling the gap between digital intelligence and real-world applications.
Renovating the traditional industry
China’s innovative waves not only create new sectors, but they go beyond traditional industries. The integration of digital technologies in the agriculture, manufacturing and services sectors has improved efficiency, saved resources, and better met people’s growth needs for a better life. The main example is the Chinese high-speed rail system.
When the world’s first truck was laid 200 years ago, the designer could hardly imagine one day a high-speed train from China would expand its zoom by more than 400 km/h. The CR450 has reached a test speed of 450 km/h, potentially the fastest high-speed train in the world when it enters use.
This leap is not just speed, but also increased energy efficiency, advanced safety features, and intelligent control systems. Drug reduction design, new materials and smart driving systems not only reduce energy consumption, but also ensure smoother and smarter operation. The CR450 high-speed train, which redefines rail transport, is set to change the way people travel and set new standards for the industry.
New Quality Productivity: Global Opportunities
China’s innovative industry advancements are not only changing its own economy, but also promoting global collaboration that redefines progress. When Shenzhen’s biotechnology expertise meets Milan’s fashion innovations and Indian Data Lab partners with a Chinese AI company, the result is a fusion of ideas that will promote the advancement of all involved parties.
For example, in the realm of green technology, Chinese battery reader CATL has partnered with European automakers to develop cutting-edge batteries. This collaboration not only reduced the costs of electric vehicles, but also accelerated the global transition to green energy, with more than 1 million EVs currently equipped with advanced technology. Meanwhile, Deepseek’s open source AI allows farmers in developing countries to predict locust swarms a few months ago using smartphone-driven algorithms, bridging technology with life-changing accuracy.
A common future for innovation
As China continues to innovate, the possibilities for global cooperation will increase exponentially. In an age characterized by climate challenges and economic uncertainty, China’s commitment to high-quality development and open collaboration provides a beacon of hope. By embracing new quality productive powers, China is not only changing its own future, but also shaping a more connected and sustainable world for all.
Through openness and cutting-edge modernization, China has emerged as a global development driver, creating unparalleled opportunities for cooperation in the digital age. A journey of productive forces of new quality has just begun, and there are all reasons to believe that its impact will resonate well beyond China’s borders and stimulate a common future of innovation and progress.
Yi Xin is a Beijing-based commentator on international affairs.