2024 National Mechanical Industry High-Quality Development Conference Held in Hangzhou

On December 11, 2024, the 2024 National Mechanical Industry High-Quality Development Conference, themed "Upholding Integrity, Innovating for a Better Future," was held in Hangzhou. The event also marked the awarding ceremony of the third "Hangyang Cup" National Mechanical Industry Product Quality Innovation Contest. The conference was jointly hosted by the China Machinery Industry Federation and China National Machinery Industry Corporation.

Keynote speeches were delivered by prominent leaders, including Luo Junjie, member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Executive Vice President of the China Machinery Industry Federation; Shen Kaibo, Deputy Secretary-General of the Hangzhou Municipal People's Government; Yao Jianzhong, Second-level Inspector of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Economy and Information Technology; Gan Xiaobin, Deputy Director of the Science and Technology Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology; and Wang Jun, Deputy Director of the Product Quality and Safety Supervision Administration of the State Administration for Market Regulation.

In his speech, Luo Junjie highlighted the remarkable achievements of the mechanical industry in recent years, particularly in four key areas: stable growth in industrial scale and economic indicators, breakthroughs in innovation-driven major equipment, accelerated development of strategic emerging industries, and the emergence of strong competitive brands and enterprises with high market recognition.

However, Luo also warned of challenges ahead. In the face of global uncertainties and the impact of international markets and geopolitical shifts, the mechanical industry still grapples with issues such as overcapacity in low-end products, price competition, insufficient high-end supply, weak industry foundations, and limited innovation capabilities. He urged the industry to recognize these challenges and adopt a sense of urgency, continue fostering confidence, and strive toward achieving high-quality development.

Luo outlined five key suggestions for the future development of the industry:

1. Promote Technological Innovation: Accelerate the development of new forms of production power, tackle core technologies, and deepen the integration of industry, academia, research, and application. Focus on strengthening the competitiveness of the entire industrial chain in fields like new energy vehicles and clean energy equipment.

2. Industry Transformation and Upgrading: Integrate new-generation information technologies with mechanical manufacturing, embrace "AI+," and lay the groundwork for future industries. Promote quality enhancement and brand cultivation, implement advanced quality management methods, and push for digital transformation across the entire industry.

3. Green and Low-Carbon Development: Push for coordinated green and digital transformation, develop energy-efficient and environmentally friendly machinery, and encourage the use of renewable and clean energy sources.

4. Cultivate High-Quality Enterprises: Strengthen the resilience and safety of industrial and supply chains by fostering specialized and innovative enterprises and promoting cooperation between large enterprises and SMEs.

5. Implement Excellent Quality Engineering: Advocate for product quality grading and implement initiatives such as the “Manufacturing Industry Excellent Quality Engineering,” which aims for significant improvements in manufacturing quality by 2025.

The event also featured thematic reports from Chen Xuedong, Vice General Manager of China National Machinery Industry Corporation and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, as well as Tan Jianrong, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Chen discussed enhancing industry foundation capabilities and promoting high-quality development, while Tan addressed the role of new production power and digital transformation.

In addition, experts such as Zheng Wei, Chairman of Hangyang Group Co., Ltd., Luo Kai, Co-President of Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology Co., Ltd., and Wang Tairan, Chief Expert of Quality Management Digitalization at the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, delivered speeches covering product innovation, operational management, corporate culture, and talent development.

The “Hangyang Cup” Third National Mechanical Industry Product Quality Innovation Contest was met with enthusiastic participation from the industry. A total of 241 projects won awards, including 30 gold medals, 100 silver medals, and 111 excellent awards. One unit received a special contribution award. During the conference, representatives of award-winning enterprises visited Hangyang Group Co., Ltd., Hangcha Group Co., Ltd., and Zhejiang Wanma Co., Ltd. for research and exchange.

This conference serves as a key milestone in the ongoing efforts to advance the mechanical industry’s transformation toward high-quality development, focusing on technological innovation, sustainability, and the cultivation of competitive enterprises.