“We have persisted in developing real industry. From relying on imported matches, soap, and iron in the past to now becoming the world’s largest manufacturing country with the most complete industrial categories—this path has been proven correct,” said President Xi Jinping with deep emotion upon witnessing the robust productivity of China’s manufacturing sector.
Today’s China is brimming with dynamic development energy, with rapid progress and remarkable achievements across various fields.
On average, every minute sees the creation of 243 million yuan in GDP and 83.2 million yuan in import and export value of goods.
Every hour, 2.33 million pieces of clothing are manufactured, and 36,000 kilograms of crops are precisely harvested by intelligent harvesters.
Each day, approximately 35,900 new energy vehicles roll off production lines, and an additional 6,845 meters of high-speed rail begin operation.
Annually, over 800 advanced manufacturing national standards guide industrial upgrades, while 919,600 new 5G base stations connect China to a faster era.
These sets of data record the solid achievements of intelligent transformation in traditional industries, depict the grand landscape of emerging industrial clusters rising, and guide the forward-looking layout of future industries.
Today, China is accelerating its transformation from the “world’s factory” toward high-value-added manufacturing and an innovation-driven economy. Shining “Chinese name cards” such as high-speed rail, nuclear power, 5G, and new energy vehicles are not only reshaping global industrial layouts but also painting a new picture of Chinese modernization with powerful momentum.
matches
Matches are not a place or cultural site, but a common everyday object. Historically, the first self-igniting friction match was invented in the 19th century, revolutionizing how people created fire. Their invention marked a significant technological shift from older methods like flint and steel.
soap
Soap is not a specific place or cultural site, but rather a cleansing substance with a long history. Its invention dates back to ancient civilizations like Babylon around 2800 BC, with early versions made from animal fats and wood ashes. Over centuries, soap-making evolved into both a practical household item and an artistic craft in various cultures.
iron
“Iron” is not a specific place or cultural site, but a chemical element. Historically, its discovery and the development of ironworking (the Iron Age) were pivotal, allowing humans to create stronger tools, weapons, and structures. This advancement fundamentally shaped civilizations, economies, and warfare across the globe.
high-speed rail
High-speed rail is a modern railway system designed for significantly faster train travel than traditional rail, using specialized infrastructure and rolling stock. The concept first gained prominence with Japan’s Shinkansen (bullet train) launching in 1964, which revolutionized intercity transport. Today, systems like France’s TGV and China’s expansive network operate trains exceeding 300 km/h, transforming regional connectivity and travel efficiency.
5G
“5G” refers to the fifth generation of wireless cellular network technology, which began its global deployment around 2019. It represents a significant evolution from 4G, offering dramatically faster data speeds, lower latency, and the capacity to connect a vast number of devices, from smartphones to internet-of-things appliances. Its development was driven by the increasing demand for mobile data and the need to support new technologies like autonomous vehicles and smart cities.
new energy vehicles
“New Energy Vehicles” (NEVs) are not a physical place or cultural site but a technological and industrial category. This term, widely used in China, refers to vehicles that are partially or fully powered by electricity, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). The modern push for NEVs gained global momentum in the 21st century as a strategic initiative to reduce fossil fuel dependence and combat air pollution, with China emerging as the world’s largest market through substantial government support and policy mandates.
nuclear power
Nuclear power is a method of generating electricity through controlled nuclear reactions, primarily using uranium or plutonium fuel. It was first developed for practical energy production in the 1950s following scientific breakthroughs in nuclear physics. Today, nuclear power plants operate worldwide, providing a significant low-carbon energy source while also being a subject of debate due to safety and waste disposal concerns.
world’s factory
“World’s factory” refers to China’s dominant role in global manufacturing since the late 20th century, particularly after its economic reforms in 1978. This position was built on a combination of low labor costs, massive infrastructure investment, and a vast industrial ecosystem. It transformed China into the primary producer of a wide range of consumer goods for the global market.
