The National Organization Unified Social Credit Code Data Service Center recently released data: As of the end of August this year, the total number of manufacturing enterprises in China has exceeded 6 million for the first time, reaching 6.03 million, an increase of 5.53% from the end of last year.
The growth rate of 5.53% is not very large in itself, but it was achieved in the complex and ever-changing domestic and international situation. It is a concrete manifestation of "facing difficulties and strengthening confidence", and also a concrete manifestation of "the broad fundamentals and market of our country's economy, strong economic resilience, and great potential".
Further analysis reveals three positive trends that are worth paying attention to.
01
Chinese manufacturing is growing taller
Among over 6 million manufacturing enterprises, strategic emerging enterprises reached 515300, an increase of 6.35% compared to the end of 2023, and the proportion increased from 8.48% at the end of last year to 8.55%. This indicates a clear trend of transformation and upgrading in Chinese manufacturing.
With the accelerated development of new quality productive forces, the pace of upgrading China's traditional industries has accelerated. Liaoning has transformed and upgraded a number of "old brands" such as Shenji and Shengu, while Jiangsu has implemented the "Five Actions" for revitalizing traditional industries. More manufacturing enterprises are "sprouting new shoots from old trees"; Emerging industries continue to develop and grow, with exports of the "new three types" of foreign trade exceeding one trillion yuan, and photovoltaic module production ranking first in the world for 16 consecutive years, accelerating the formation of new competitive forces in the industry; Accelerating the layout and construction of future industries, leading the world in quantum communication, diverse artificial intelligence models, and seizing the commanding heights of future development faster... A more sound modern industrial system will help steadily promote new industrialization and accelerate the development of new quality productivity.
There are not only leading enterprises that stand tall and strong, but also a vast number of small and medium-sized enterprises. As of the end of June, China has cultivated over 140000 "specialized, refined, unique, and new" small and medium-sized enterprises, among which 12000 are specialized, refined, unique, and new "little giant" enterprises. A large number of small and medium-sized enterprises with strong innovation capabilities, high levels of specialization, and good growth potential have moved from being "small and numerous" to being "refined and strong", becoming "potential stocks" and "new forces" for the development and growth of the manufacturing industry.
02
Chinese manufacturing is becoming stronger
In the recently released list of China's top 500 enterprises, there were 264 manufacturing companies, accounting for over half of the total. From 2012 to 2023, the number of industrial enterprises above designated size in China has increased significantly from 344000 to 482000.
Since becoming the largest manufacturing country in 2010, the development of China's manufacturing industry has continuously reached new heights. From 2012 to 2023, the added value of the manufacturing industry increased from 16.98 trillion yuan to 39.9 trillion yuan, accounting for over 30% of the global total and ranking first in the world for 14 consecutive years.
A series of policy measures have been taken to cultivate and strengthen advanced manufacturing clusters, steadily promote the reconstruction of industrial foundations, moderately advance the deployment of information infrastructure, and rapidly layout and construct manufacturing innovation centers, effectively promoting the construction of a strong manufacturing country.
Guangdong adheres to the principle of "leading the manufacturing industry" and implements the "100 chain resilience improvement" action, Sichuan implements the "smart transformation and digital transformation" action, accelerates the intelligent transformation of the manufacturing industry, Shanghai builds an industrial leading zone, and creates a future industrial ecological cluster... Various regions and departments attach great importance to the development of the manufacturing industry, especially advanced manufacturing, increase investment, support excellence and strength, and effectively promote the expansion of new space and vitality in China's manufacturing industry.
03
Chinese manufacturing is more 'balanced'
'Balance' is reflected in regional layout. From January to August this year, the central region added 69700 new manufacturing enterprises, an increase of 6.55% compared to the end of 2023, and the largest increase compared to other regions; 37600 new manufacturing enterprises were added in the western region, an increase of 5.23% compared to the end of 2023; There were 9900 new manufacturing enterprises added in the Northeast region, an increase of 3.87% compared to the end of 2023. This indicates that from a regional distribution perspective, Chinese manufacturing is developing towards a more balanced direction.
'Balance' is more reflected in industrial layout. More than 6 million manufacturing enterprises, of different sizes and types, are distributed in thousands of industries and laid out in the upstream and downstream of the industrial chain, competing and cooperating with each other. Large, medium and small enterprises with a wide range and gradient development work together to build a new industrial ecology of symbiosis and win-win, and jointly constitute the world's most complete industrial system, forming a unique competitive advantage of China's industrial "complete system", "diverse varieties" and "large scale". Data shows that last year, China's total industrial added value accounted for 31.7% of GDP, and the output of over 220 industrial products ranked first in the world. This is a solid foundation for China's economy to gain an advantage and take the initiative in the new round of global technological revolution and industrial transformation.
Looking at the world as a whole, industrialization is the only way for major countries to develop and grow. After years of development, China's manufacturing industry has made significant progress. However, overall, it is still at an important juncture of transforming from large to strong and overcoming obstacles. There are still outstanding shortcomings in key core technologies, industrial basic capabilities, and other aspects. Accelerating the construction of a manufacturing powerhouse is a heavy and arduous task. Maintaining the integrity of industrial categories, keeping the proportion of manufacturing industry basically stable, adhering to independent innovation, the resilience and safety level of the industrial system will continue to improve, and the strength and confidence to cope with risks and challenges will be more sufficient.
