Rising Integration of Technology and Industry in 2025: A National Turning Point
In 2025, China witnessed a remarkable shift as the integration of technological innovation with industrial development moved beyond policy rhetoric to become a dynamic, nationwide practice. This transformation is reshaping industries and propelling the country toward a future of advanced manufacturing and sustainable growth.
Technological Foundations Driving Industrial Upgrading
The progress in core technological research and development over the past year has laid a solid foundation for deeper technology-industry integration. Key breakthroughs in strategic materials and cutting-edge science have energized multiple sectors.
A notable example is the collaboration between the Institute of Coal Chemistry under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shanxi Huayang Carbon Materials Technology Co., Ltd., which established a production line in Datong, Shanxi. Operational since November 2025, this facility produces 200 tons annually of high-end T1000 carbon fiber — commonly referred to as "black gold" — a crucial material for aerospace, rail transit, new energy, and emerging industries tied to low-altitude economies. This initiative supports both strategic emerging sectors and future industrial development.
Quantum communication technologies have also advanced, facilitating industrial applications such as digital and intelligent office environments and smart city infrastructures. In biomanufacturing, innovative companies like Bluepha have pioneered the use of waste bio-oils as carbon sources to produce polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), opening a trillion-yuan market for bio-based materials.
Moreover, progress in nuclear fusion research, notably through the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), has established a robust foundation for future clean energy solutions.
AI Empowering Traditional Industries and Expanding New Economic Frontiers
Industry remains the vital platform for transforming technological innovation into practical applications. In 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) played a transformative role in revitalizing traditional sectors and venturing into new domains.
By the end of 2025, China had introduced over 1,500 industrial large AI models spanning 50 sectors and more than 700 distinct scenarios. The integration of these models into manufacturing processes surged, with adoption rising from 19.9% in the previous year to 25.9%. This trend underscores AI’s evolution from merely an auxiliary aid to the “core engine” driving industrial transformation and upgrading.
The low-altitude economy also progressed significantly, transitioning from experimental phases to broad implementation. Six cities were designated national pilots for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft operations, expanding low-altitude technology into practical applications.
Production outputs for industrial robots, new energy vehicles, and integrated circuits rose markedly, increasing by 28%, 25%, and 11% year-on-year, respectively — reflecting strong market demand and technological maturity.
Strengthened Institutional Support Fostering Innovation
Such comprehensive integration would not have been feasible without robust institutional support. Enterprises have reinforced their central role in scientific and technological innovation, with state-owned and central enterprises playing a leading role.
From January to November 2025, central enterprises invested an impressive 890 billion RMB in research and development, yielding over 120 landmark results. Additionally, long-standing barriers to technological industrialization are gradually eroding.
One pioneering initiative at Nanjing Tech University granted 90% ownership of job-related scientific and technological outcomes to their developers, significantly motivating researchers. Across the country, many universities have embraced innovative systems to foster technology transfer and apply scientific achievements throughout industrial chains.
On May 14, seven government authorities issued a comprehensive set of guidelines with 15 specific measures to invigorate financial services for scientific and technological innovation. These include enhanced venture capital investment, credit availability, and insurance support, further reinforcing the ecosystem for technology-driven industrial growth.
Looking Ahead
The year 2025 marks a pivotal milestone in China’s journey towards the seamless fusion of technology and industry. With continued breakthroughs, expanding applications, and strong institutional frameworks, China is well-positioned to sustain momentum for modernization and global competitiveness in the years ahead.
Editor: WANG Xiaoxia
Source: Science and Technology Daily
Published: February 11, 2026
