Assessing China Manufacturing Future via Bearings and Valves

From dependence on imports to independent innovation, from relying on physical strength to competing intellectually, from meeting demand to leading it, and focusing on innovation, upgrading, and the market, Made in China will continue to create a brighter future.

"Modern manufacturing cannot do without the empowerment of science and technology. We must vigorously strengthen technological research and pursue independent innovation." "Traditional manufacturing is an important part of the real economy. We must grasp market demand, strengthen scientific and technological innovation, and revitalize traditional industries." This year, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited LYC and Yangquan Valve Co., Ltd. during his inspection tours in Henan and Shanxi, emphasizing the importance of high-quality development in the manufacturing industry.

Bearings are the "joint" of industry. Over a decade ago, LYC had no access to high-end bearings. Today, the output value of "high-end products" such as aviation precision bearings and 16-megawatt wind turbine main shaft bearings accounts for 70% of the company's total output value.

Valves are known as the "gatekeepers" of modern industry. Yangquan's valve casting process was once very backward. Now, several product technologies have filled domestic gaps, and valve products are widely favored by the market.

Bearings and valves, two small industrial components, reflect the hard truths of development. From this, we can see the real economy's past struggles and the future of China's manufacturing sector, as seen from three perspectives.

Dimension One: Continuous research and innovation will ensure that China's manufacturing industry continues to reach new heights.

Shield machine main bearings, previously mastered by only a few companies worldwide, became a bottleneck restricting China's manufacturing industry. How was this breakthrough achieved? They began by undertaking maintenance work and collaborating with shield machine manufacturers; starting with individual parts, they gradually participated in the repair of core components; and starting with the replacement of small parts, they focused on independent research and development. Through continuous research and development, LYC's shield machine main bearings have been successfully used in shield machines with a diameter of 12 meters. Their reliability and other indicators have reached international standards, yet the price is less than one-third of imported products. In the first quarter of this year, my country's bearing exports increased by 8.7% year-on-year.

A bright moon will appear after the clouds have cleared. By always upholding innovation as the core, striving for high-level scientific and technological self-reliance, and striving to master more key core technologies, China's manufacturing industry will break through more bottlenecks and win a larger market share.

Second, intelligent upgrades, quality improvements, and increased efficiency will continue to drive new momentum for Made in China.

In the Yangquan valve heavy-duty machining workshop, computer-controlled lathes significantly improve production efficiency and enhance product precision. At the LYC's intelligent factory for gearbox bearings, the entire process, from design and material selection to production and delivery, is fully digitized, shortening production cycles by 30%. Digital intelligence empowers traditional industries to further enhance total factor productivity.

"The transformation and upgrading of traditional industries can also develop new high-quality productivity." In recent years, my country's artificial intelligence industry has experienced rapid growth, with the number of enterprises exceeding 4,700 and the scale of core industries approaching 600 billion yuan. Leveraging this advantage, promoting the deep integration of artificial intelligence with the real economy will significantly improve efficiency in R&D, design, production, management, and market services. It will also spawn a large number of new industries, new business formats, and new models, revitalizing traditional industries.

Third, by targeting the market and responding to demand, Made in China will continuously open up new opportunities.

Responding to the demands of industrial digitalization, Qingdao Jingrui Machinery focuses on the research and development and production of high-end intelligent valves, equipping industrial valves with "smart brains" and exporting its products to 66 countries and regions. Capitalizing on the growth of wind power, Luoyang Bearing Group has developed new products, with wind power bearings boasting an annual output value exceeding 2 billion yuan, making them its highest-earning flagship product. my country boasts a massive market, offering boundless business opportunities for all types of companies and fertile soil for the growth and development of Made in China. In the future, with the continued advancement of new industrialization and urbanization, and the accelerated development of a new energy system, Made in China will usher in even broader market opportunities.

Manufacturing is a vital pillar of the national economy. From dependence on imports to independent innovation, from relying on physical strength to relying on intellectual talent, from meeting demand to leading it... The development of the bearing and valve industries offers us a lesson. By focusing on innovation, upgrading, and market development, accelerating the improvement of weaknesses and strengthening strengths, and continuously enhancing industrial competitiveness, Made in China will continue to create a brighter future.