Data released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology reveals that in the first half of 2026, China's industrial value-added from major firms grew by 5.4% year-on-year, with the industrial sector contributing over 35% to economic growth. A key factor in this expansion is the deepening application of AI, with its adoption rate exceeding 30% among large-scale manufacturing enterprises.
These figures reflect not just a stable expansion in the scale of China's industrial and information technology sectors, but also a qualitative leap towards greater intelligence and innovation. In this transformative process, the integration of AI is emerging as the core engine driving industrial change. Concurrently, digital infrastructure, represented by next-generation communication networks, is becoming deeply embedded in industrial settings, providing a solid foundational support for this shift. Together, these forces are propelling Chinese industry to accelerate quality, efficiency, and momentum transformations, taking significant strides toward intelligent manufacturing.
In the first half of the year, sectors including electronics, specialized equipment, general equipment, automobiles, and electrical machinery collectively contributed more than half of the growth in industrial output. The integrated circuit manufacturing industry saw double-digit growth in value-added, and the production of industrial robots also increased at a double-digit rate. Breakthroughs in major national projects, such as the C919 passenger jet and the CR450 high-speed train, further highlight this progress. The achievements in these areas are inseparable from the synergistic support of AI and robust communication infrastructure.
To sustain this positive momentum from a strong first half into a successful full year and to propel Chinese industry into a higher gear, the critical task is to solidify the foundation for economic innovation through widespread AI adoption, turning strategic blueprints into tangible reality. To achieve this, stakeholders across the industrial chain can focus on breakthroughs in three key areas.
First, strengthen the foundation and accelerate the implementation of next-generation communication networks. It is advisable for relevant companies to accelerate innovation in mechanisms for coordinating computing power with networks and with power supply. This will help avoid the creation of isolated infrastructure silos, making computing power as readily accessible as water and electricity. Initiatives to provide accessible and affordable computing power can empower small and medium-sized enterprises, helping to bridge the digital and intelligent divide.
Second, delve deeper into practical applications to drive substantive and meaningful AI integration. There remains significant room for increasing the penetration of AI within manufacturing enterprises. All parties should adhere to a model where industry identifies the problems and technology provides the solutions. Companies can proactively open up their production environments, collaborating with AI technology providers to tackle challenges in intelligent production scheduling, visual quality inspection, and predictive maintenance. Research institutions and universities should align closely with industrial needs to accelerate the translation of research into practical applications. Industry associations and similar bodies can take the lead in establishing libraries of exemplary case studies, using visible, high-quality projects to encourage broader industry adoption.
Third, adopt a long-term perspective by selecting and steadfastly pursuing the right development path for the AI industry. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has already proposed formulating a list of key technologies for future industries and identifying high-potential sectors. It is recommended that stakeholders not only "identify the right direction" but also establish mechanisms for tolerating trial and error and commit to long-term investment. Furthermore, for cutting-edge fields such as embodied AI, brain-computer interfaces, quantum information, and bio-manufacturing, efforts should focus on transforming experimental "pilot plots" into highly productive fields, thereby helping China maintain a leading edge in future global technological competition.
The mid-year results for 2026 from the industrial and information technology sectors demonstrate that the Chinese economy possesses not only strong resilience but also vibrant potential for the future. By persistently pursuing innovation, prioritizing quality, and continuing to focus on technological advancement, China's industrial and information technology endeavors are poised to take even more solid strides forward, injecting sustained momentum into high-quality development.
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