Chinese Minister of Industry and Information Technology Li Lecheng Photo: VCG

China will vigorously promote the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with manufacturing and accelerate breakthroughs in next-generation AI products in 2026, Minister of Industry and Information Technology Li Lecheng said on Wednesday, outlining plans to follow the Government Work Report.

Li made the remarks when giving an interview after the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday. 

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will further promote technological iteration in AI-powered consumer products, including computers, smartphones and smart home devices. It will also accelerate breakthroughs in cutting-edge fields, such as brain-computer interfaces, autonomous vehicles and humanoid robots. In parallel, efforts will be made to speed up the development of intelligent agricultural machinery and medical devices, ensuring that a wider range of smart products to meet the evolving needs of industries across the economy, according to Li.

The minister said that China possesses a comprehensive industrial system, a large pool of innovation talent and a continuously improving innovation ecosystem. "We are confident and believe that more world-class intelligent products will be produced on this fertile ground," he said.

China has the world's most complete industrial system and has led the globe in new-energy vehicles  production and sales for 11 consecutive years, Li said. In 2025, investment in emerging sectors such as aerospace equipment and manufacturing equipment recorded double-digit growth, and the added value of high-tech manufacturing accounted for 36.8 percent and 17.1 percent respectively of total industrial added value, according to the minister. 

Li said that China will build on its advantages in manufacturing to further deepen the application of AI across industries. In 2026, China will vigorously promote "AI Plus manufacturing," further tapping the development potential of traditional industries and stimulating the innovation vitality of emerging industries, Li said. 

Li also emphasized the importance of balancing development and security in the advancement of the AI industry, noting that China will adhere to the principle that AI should serve, benefit and remain under the control of humanity. At the same time, China will uphold international cooperation and sharing in the AI field, jointly build governance frameworks and rules for AI, and ensure that the technology benefits humanity, according to Li. 

Global Times