Innovation becomes the main driver of China's economic growth
The transformation of China's industrial landscape is gaining momentum: new growth drivers have already contributed more than 40% of economic growth in the first half of the year. Summer, traditionally a slowdown period for air cargo, has become a boom time this year — cargo planes from Shenzhen are carrying chips, optical modules and AI solid‑state drives around the world. "AI‑related shipments more than doubled in the first half of the year," a representative of SF Airlines noted.
In the first half of the year, China produced on average more than 1.5 billion integrated circuits per day, with the AI supply chain accounting for about half of export growth. Government funding for science and technology will exceed 400 billion yuan for the first time, while the basic research budget has grown by 180%. The government is also promoting the commercialisation of R&D and the integration of innovation into industry.
This month, China successfully recovered the first stage of a rocket using a sea‑based net system for the first time in the world, a breakthrough in commercial space. The return on investment in this sector reached 1:12, and the number of patents in strategic sectors rose by more than 30% year‑on‑year in June for the first time.
Traditional industries are also accelerating: production of biomaterials and biofuels grew by more than 20%. China also leads in the number of World Economic Forum "Lighthouse factories" — 24 out of 39, with half of them operating in textiles, containers and home appliances.
Embodied AI is gaining momentum: more than 230 companies have launched 400 humanoid robot models, with annual production expected to exceed 100,000 units. Quantum technologies are moving from labs to production: funding has tripled. "New drivers are moving from isolated breakthroughs to a systemic upswing," the National Development and Reform Commission noted. As CCTV+ reports, new growth drivers have already contributed more than 40% of China's economic growth in the first half of the year, and this trend continues to strengthen.
