In a strong signal for economic resilience, China’s manufacturing industry outperformed national sales growth by 1.7 percentage points in 2025, state tax data shows. Its share of total sales hit 29.7%, a 0.5-point rise from 2024, cementing its status as the economy’s stabilizing force.
Intelligent transformation is accelerating rapidly. Nationwide, manufacturers boosted spending on automation by 11.3% and digital equipment by 10%, according to VAT statistics. This reflects an unprecedented pace in smart upgrades across factories.
Greening efforts are gaining momentum too. The proportion of sales from high-energy industries fell 1.1 points year-over-year, while environmental service purchases rose 7.3%—reaching 14.6% in energy-heavy sectors. Companies are prioritizing eco-friendly practices amid rising sustainability demands.
Digital adoption is surging, with digital manufacturing sales up 9.4%. Tech procurement grew 10.4%, outpacing 2024 by 3.5 points. Automotive firms led with 24.5% increases, followed by 11.8% in computers and telecom gear, fostering deeper fusion between virtual and physical economies.
These developments arrive at a critical juncture, as China counters external pressures with internal innovation. Manufacturing’s evolution promises sustained growth, potentially influencing global manufacturing standards and investment flows for years to come.