Output value of Shanghai’s world-class system integration segment has topped US$8.5 billion. Its 383 robots per 10,000 workers also leads globally….reports Asian Lite News
Shanghai plans to build 200 new smart factories and 20 demonstration sites by the end of 2025 after 70 intelligent plants in 2023, officials announced, solidifying its intelligent manufacturing stronghold, according to China Daily report.
Covering auto, equipment and IT, this year’s batch features life-cycle, process and supply chain enhancements. As the nation’s largest smart solutions provider and a core equipment hub, the city sees such innovation as vital for industrial competitiveness.
“Intelligent manufacturing plays a key role in new industrialization and is pivotal for Shanghai’s digital economic transition,” said Vice Mayor Chen Jie. Over 19 national-level intelligent factories now operate alongside 100 municipal and 1,000-plus smart applications, with over 70 per cent of firms passing evaluations.
Benefits abound – average efficiency exceeding 50 per cent higher, costs 30 per cent lower and energy consumption cut nearly 14 per cent. “With government support, we’ve achieved automation heights,” said parts maker Aptiv Electrical’s Ops Director Xu Xiaoying.
Output value of Shanghai’s world-class system integration segment has topped US$8.5 billion. Its 383 robots per 10,000 workers also leads globally. Accelerated nurturing of marquee clusters reinforces the upgraded, tech-driven industrialisation push.
“By integrating innovation, Shanghai exemplifies next-gen manufacturing led by technology,” said Chinese Academy of Engineering Academician Qian Feng.
Homegrown cruise line
China celebrated a significant maritime achievement with the trial voyage of its first domestically made large cruise ship, the Adora Magic City. This voyage, commencing from the Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal on Sunday, paves the way for the ship’s official inaugural journey scheduled for January 1st, according to a China Daily report.
Prior to its official maiden voyage, the Adora Magic City is set to undertake another trial run with passengers on board. Yang Guobing, Chairman of China State Shipbuilding Corp (CSSC) Cruise Technology Development Co and its subsidiary, Adora Cruises, emphasised the significance of this maiden voyage as a critical preparatory step for the ship’s commercial operations.
Yang pointed out that until this achievement, a large cruise ship was the one remaining high-value vessel type that had not been constructed by Chinese shipbuilders. With the successful operation of the Adora Magic City, China now joins an exclusive global rank, becoming the only nation capable of building aircraft carriers, large liquefied natural gas carriers, and large cruise ships.
Wang Hong, President and Professor of Management at the China Europe International Business School, reflected on the broader implications of this milestone. He stated, “The maiden voyage of the China-built vessel represents not only a great breakthrough in China’s high-end manufacturing techniques, but also the Chinese people’s pursuit of and demand for a better life.” Wang also noted that by the end of 2019, China had emerged as the world’s second-largest cruise market.
The Adora Magic City is seen as a key development in the evolution of the Chinese consumption model, particularly in the post-COVID-19 era. It boasts a crew of approximately 1,300 members from 30 different countries and regions, offering services expected to attract a diverse Chinese clientele.
The maiden voyage ceremony, conducted following the maritime convention, featured an exchange of plaques between Gu Huiquan, general manager of the Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, and Captain Niklas Peterstam of the Adora Magic City. Additionally, a flag presentation ceremony was conducted where Sun Wei, CSSC Group vice-president, presented the Adora flag to the ship’s team, led by Captain Peterstam.
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