China to establish new “Made in China 2025” national demonstration areas

BEIJING - China will establish national-level demonstration areas for its “Made in China 2025” plan, a blueprint to upgrade the country’s manufacturing sector. The national demonstration areas will be established in cities and city clusters in the eastern, central and western regions, according to a decision made at a State Council executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang.

The State newsagency Xinhua said the areas will focus on integrating the strategy of “Made in China 2025” with China’s Internet Plus Initiative, as well as entrepreneurship and innovation, creating cloud platforms for advanced manufacturing and carrying out pilot programmes in innovative system construction, smart and green manufacturing.

Specifically, the demonstration areas will be encouraged to set up a “negative list” that identifies sectors within the manufacturing and information industry that are off-limits or restricted for investments, and will have certain jurisdiction in foreign investment management upon approval.

A variety of Government and industry funds will be used to spur innovation and entrepreneurship, and guide more social capital to support advanced manufacturing. www.weberfshandwick.cn (ATI).