Central SOEs Step Up Innovation and AI Rollout Following State Assets Commission Seminar

According to official information from the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC), a seminar for senior executives of central state-owned enterprises ran from 21 to 22 July. The session reviewed operational results recorded in the first half of the year and mapped out work priorities for the months ahead.

Central SOEs have accelerated research and technology breakthroughs through the opening six months. Total spending on research and development between January and June rose by 3.8 per cent year on year.

Senior officials at SASAC stated during the seminar that drafting and implementing the 15th Five-Year Plan for state-owned assets and central SOEs, alongside deeper reforms of state-owned enterprises, will serve as the core framework guiding all work. All targets set for the current year will be pursued with full commitment to lay solid foundations for the opening phase of the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

Nine fourth-round innovation consortia for central SOEs are now being formed. Eight industrial generic technology research institutes have set up 47 dedicated research branches. Four key sectors including new power systems have established original technology source hubs recognised for global influence.

Industrial portfolios of central SOEs continue shifting towards emerging and high-value sectors amid accelerated industrial upgrading. The nationwide “AI Plus” initiative for central SOEs moves forward at scale. Industrial communities focused on embodied intelligence and rail transit equipment under the “AI Plus” banner have been established, while eight national pilot bases for industrial application testing are being led by central SOEs. More than 1,200 application scenarios have been deployed to date. The open-source Huanxin Community hosts over 20,000 models and 3,000 datasets. Digital transformation programmes gather momentum; more than 2,000 smart factories have been constructed, and the digitalisation rate of production equipment stands at 67 per cent.

Clear requirements have been outlined for reform and development work covering the second half of the year. Greater progress will be made in advancing original innovation and tackling core technologies facing supply constraints. Central SOEs will strengthen systematic capabilities for collaborative technological research and deliver higher-quality technical outputs. Drawing on the new system for mobilising resources nationwide, enterprises will undertake major national science and technology programmes and advance landmark research projects. Construction of original technology source hubs will progress to deliver pioneering research outcomes. Frameworks that use artificial intelligence to advance scientific research will be formulated to resolve a series of fundamental scientific challenges.

Central SOEs will push for comprehensive industrial transformation. Digital and intelligent upgrading schemes will be expanded, and the “AI Plus” initiative will be carried further. New strategically significant application scenarios and high-quality datasets will be created to enable deeper integration between digital technologies and day-to-day business operations, consolidating competitive strengths across industries. Central SOEs will continue rolling out digital tools, expanding AI deployment and refining innovation layouts to match evolving industrial and technological trends.