Manufacturing quality goods remains a challenge

How to enhance the quality of made-in-China goods, increase the added value of products and make them more technology-driven are the major issues that manufacturers confront, said Ning Gaoning, a member of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

“The Government Work Report mentioned the revolution in the quality of made-in-China goods, pointing out the major problem that China’s manufacturing sector is facing at the moment,” said Ning, who is also the chairman of the State-owned Sinochem Group.

"Chinese manufacturing sector has progressed from the previous 'world factory' to a competitive 'manufacturing powerhouse', but consumers are still not satisfied with what we can offer, because we are still falling behind in the quality and technology,” Ning said. “From my own experience, for example, in the field of chemistry engineering, the high-end material with high performance and the safety control system in the oil refining business are still relying on foreign shipment.”

"In the recent years I have seen fewer and fewer companies looking for supporting policy in purchasing natural resource,” Ning said. “But they are not seeing the need of enhancing quality as significant as a revolution.”

Ning said he is optimistic about the future of manufacturing upgrading in China, and both market and policy have played important roles in the progress.

"The supply-side structural reform has played a vital role,” he said. “As well as the government support, in industry, technology and tax aspects, are all bringing profound changes to the sector. I believe the ongoing manufacturing upgrading in the country will be similar to the internet technology industry and see a big leap in the coming years.”