At this year’s Two Sessions, China signalled a stronger push towards innovation-driven growth, with artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and emerging industries shaping the next phase of development in China’s 15th Five-Year Plan.

New Quality Productive Forces

At the centre of this strategy is the development of “new quality productive forces”, driven by science and technology breakthroughs and deeper integration between innovation and industry.

The plan highlights the need to strengthen original innovation and achieve breakthroughs in core technologies, from advanced equipment to next-generation materials.

AI Plus

A key pillar is the “AI Plus” initiative, accelerating AI integration across industries, from manufacturing to everyday applications, and promoting large-scale adoption, including in education, where it supports smarter teaching systems and personalised learning.

At the core of this technological push is a focus on integrated circuits, seen as critical to strengthening self-reliance and advancing high-end manufacturing. Within the plan itself, these priorities are laid out in clear detail.

LEUNG CHUN-YING / Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC / Former HKSAR Chief Executive:

"[The plan is] very comprehensive and very detailed. For example, there's one about new sectors and new competitive tracks of development in the country. And the first amongst all is the integrated circuit."

The plan calls for upgrading traditional industries through digital and intelligent transformation, while developing new industry clusters in advanced materials, high-end equipment, and next-generation technologies.

Emerging Industries

China is also fast-tracking emerging industries and future sectors, including aviation, aerospace, the low-altitude economy, quantum technology, embodied AI, and 6G.

Regional Innovation, Global Impact

Across the Greater Bay Area, regional collaboration is helping to translate China’s innovation priorities into practical projects. Against this backdrop, Hong Kong serves as a key hub, connecting local expertise with global markets and supporting both national innovation goals and international collaboration.

LEUNG CHUN-YING:

"Hong Kong has a great number of leading scientists and experts in other fields. They all have their own niches. So what I again would suggest is that these experts go through the respective sections in the Five-Year Plan and they are all stated there."

China’s 15th Five-Year Plan sets a clear direction for building new engines of growth and moving up the global value chain. In summary, there are a lot of opportunities out there. Don’t hesitate to explore it yourselves if you’re interested in the tech market.