China elevates to the second tier of global manufacturing powers

China remains the world’s undisputed manufacturing superpower, contributing approximately 27.71% of global manufacturing value-added in 2024 — a figure that dwarfs all competitors and has solidified its position as the largest manufacturer for 15 consecutive years since overtaking the top spot in 2010.

No other nation comes close to this scale, which translates to trillions in output and underpins China’s unique ecosystem of complete, resilient industrial chains.

In late 2025, the release of the 2025 China Manufacturing Power Development Index Report — compiled annually since 2015 by prestigious institutions including the Strategic Consulting Center of the Chinese Academy of Engineering — marked a historic milestone.

China’s manufacturing power index has now aligned with those of Germany and Japan, elevating it to the second tier of global manufacturing powers.

This makes China the fourth country, after the United States, Germany, and Japan, to achieve this elite status. The report evaluates nations across five key dimensions: scale development, quality and efficiency, structural optimization, innovation drive, and sustainable development.

China’s strong performance across all indicators, particularly in innovation, underscores its rapid ascent.

These “lights-out” factories and humanoid robot integrations exemplify China’s push toward fully automated, intelligent production — a capability unmatched in scope globally.

China’s unique advantages are multifaceted and deeply entrenched in the following fields.

Unrivaled Scale and Complete Supply Chains: With the world’s most comprehensive industrial system spanning over 200 major categories, China offers economies of scale that enable rapid prototyping, cost efficiencies, and resilience against disruptions.

Innovation Momentum: Accelerated R&D investment has driven breakthroughs in original technologies, with the innovation indicator showing the strongest year-on-year growth.

Skilled Workforce and Infrastructure: A vast pool of highly trained engineers and technicians, supported by world-leading infrastructure like ultra-high-voltage grids and clean energy systems.

Green and High-End Transition: Rapid growth in new energy equipment, energy storage, and sustainable practices positions China as a leader in eco-friendly manufacturing.

Released concurrently was the Green Paper on Technological Innovation in Key Sectors of China’s Manufacturing Industry – Technology Roadmap 2025, detailing advancements across 17 strategic sectors and 35 priority areas.

This roadmap charts an ambitious path forward:

By 2030, seven industries — including information and communications equipment, advanced rail transport, shipbuilding and marine engineering, power equipment, new energy and intelligent connected vehicles, textiles, and household appliances — will solidify world-leading positions while achieving original innovation breakthroughs.

By 2035, six more sectors, such as new display technologies, robotics, and energy storage equipment, are projected to ascend to global leadership. High-tech fields like aerospace, integrated circuits, and new materials will collectively reach world-advanced levels.

China dominates electric vehicle and battery production, with vertically integrated chains enabling unparalleled speed and cost advantages.nbcnews.com

Advanced semiconductor facilities highlight progress toward self-reliance in core technologies.

World-class high-speed rail and shipbuilding further demonstrate China’s engineering prowess.These achievements stem from decades of strategic reform, massive investments, and robust policy support, including the transformative “Made in China 2025” initiative, which has exceeded many targets despite external challenges.

As China enters the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), manufacturing remains the bedrock of its modern industrial system. The plan prioritizes high-quality development, technological self-reliance, advanced manufacturing clusters, and green transitions — ensuring sustained leadership while fostering resilience and innovation.

With its exclusive blend of scale, speed, and strategic foresight, China’s manufacturing sector is not merely dominant today; it is engineered to redefine global industry for generations to come.

Signpost NewsDesk

Signpost News is an Imphal-based media house that focuses on delivering news and views from Northeast India and beyond.