According to a report by China Daily on February 22
BEIJING — China’s manufacturing digitalization drive has moved decisively from pilot experimentation to full-scale deployment, marking a new phase in the country’s industrial modernization strategy.
A latest report released by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) shows that as of December 2025, 89.6% of major industrial enterprises had implemented digital retrofitting or smart upgrades — a level indicating near-universal adoption among large firms.
From Policy Blueprint to Systemic Execution
The data signals that Beijing’s long-running push for industrial upgrading — often framed under initiatives such as Made in China 2025 — has entered a stage of systemic execution rather than selective experimentation.
Digital penetration rates in strategic industries are particularly notable:
Automotive manufacturing: 94.4%
Shipbuilding: 94.2%
Electronic information manufacturing: 93.9%
These sectors form the backbone of China’s export capacity and advanced manufacturing ecosystem. High digital adoption levels suggest that smart production systems are becoming standard infrastructure rather than competitive differentiators.
Industrial Resilience as a Strategic Priority
According to CAICT engineer Jiao Beibei, digital transformation is strengthening:
Production efficiency
Supply chain resilience
Green and low-carbon manufacturing capacity
The emphasis on resilience reflects broader policy priorities following years of global supply chain disruptions. By embedding digital systems deeply into manufacturing processes, China appears to be reinforcing domestic industrial self-reliance while enhancing competitiveness in global markets.
Next Policy Focus: Standards and Infrastructure
The report calls for stronger support in standards-setting and digital infrastructure development, signaling that the next policy phase may concentrate on:
Unified industrial data standards
Expanded industrial internet infrastructure
Integration of advanced digital technologies, including AI-driven optimization
For international observers, the message is clear: China’s manufacturing sector is entering a consolidation phase in which digital capability is no longer optional. Instead, it forms a foundational layer of national industrial strategy.
As global competition increasingly revolves around smart factories, industrial data control, and supply chain digitization, China’s large-scale deployment could reshape the technological baseline for manufacturing worldwide.