China Urges ASEAN To Priortise Manufacturing For Global Competitiveness

From Nor Fariza Mohd Razhi

BEIJING, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- ASEAN countries should pay more attention to the manufacturing sector to improve competitiveness in the global market, said Prof Xu Jie of the Department of Economics at the CPC Central Party School (Chinese Academy of Governance).

Xu, who is also the director of the Industrial Economics Teaching and Research Section, said building a comprehensive and robust manufacturing sector would provide more resources not only to improve people’s livelihoods but also to invest in science and technology and upgrade traditional industries.

“When our country becomes wealthy, we will have more funds to invest in technological innovation and to create a positive development cycle.

“I believe this is the foundation for economic and social development,” she said during her seminar titled ‘Accelerating Science-Technology Self-Reliance and Self-Strengthening at Higher Levels’.

Sharing China’s advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) innovation and robotics, Xu said the country has established a national laboratory dedicated to AI research.

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“We are bringing together the best scientists and making substantial investments in the basic research of AI. We are also working with companies so that their research can be quickly transferred and turned into real products and services,” she said.

She said when China first began its reform in 1978, its technological innovation was directed toward supporting economic development. 

“Through technology, we built and strengthened our manufacturing industry. If I were to offer advice to ASEAN countries, I personally believe that manufacturing is extremely important,” she said.

Xu added that implementing science and technology innovation in ASEAN requires collaboration among governments, industries and enterprises.

“We need everyone to play their part. The government should primarily support basic research and invest in universities to nurture talent.

“By providing more financial support to universities, they can cultivate more science and technology experts. Enterprises, being directly in the market, know what technologies and products are in demand,” she said.

Xu also noted that scientists working in universities and research institutes are now required to contribute most of the financial gains from their research back to their institutions.

A delegation of 25 participants, comprising officials, researchers and media members from six ASEAN countries — Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Brunei — is currently visiting China from Nov 12-19.

-- BERNAMA