China remains the world’s largest manufacturer for 15 years, with manufacturing output growth exceeding 8 trillion yuan during the 14th Five-Year Plan, driven by NEVs and tech gains.
BEIJING: China has firmly held its position as the world’s largest manufacturer for 15 years in a row, according to Minister of Industry and Information Technology Li Lecheng. Speaking at a recent press briefing in Beijing, Li confirmed that during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025), China’s manufacturing value-added output is expected to increase by over 8 trillion yuan (approximately $1.13 trillion), contributing more than 30 percent to global manufacturing growth.
The country’s industrial output has witnessed rapid expansion, particularly in equipment and high-tech manufacturing. From 2020 to 2024, the added value of equipment manufacturing grew at an average annual rate of 7.9 percent, while high-tech manufacturing surged by 8.7 percent, reinforcing China’s dominance in advanced industrial sectors.
One of the key contributors to this manufacturing boom has been the electric vehicle sector. In 2024 alone, China’s production of new energy vehicles (NEVs) exceeded 13 million units, marking the 10th consecutive year that the country topped global NEV production and sales. Additionally, China’s industrial innovation has entered a transformative phase, highlighted by landmark achievements such as the Chang’e lunar mission, the commercial launch of the C919 aircraft, and the Adora Magic City cruise ship.
Li also reported significant development among large and small enterprises alike. The number of major industrial enterprises increased by 138,000 since 2020, while 64 manufacturing companies made it into the 2024 Fortune Global 500 list. Furthermore, more than 60 million small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are now registered across China, with over 140,000 classified as “specialised and sophisticated.”
With these milestones, China remains the world’s largest manufacturer, proving its commitment to scaling technological and industrial progress across various sectors. The nation is not only catching up but now leading in critical areas of industrial innovation and development.
