According to Huanqiu and NDRC public materials, the six emerging pillar industries are: integrated circuits (semiconductors), aerospace, biopharma, low-altitude economy (drones and air mobility), new-type energy storage, and intelligent robots. Combined output of these sectors already approached 6 trillion yuan in 2025.

Six future industries

The six future industries are: quantum technology, biomanufacturing, green hydrogen and nuclear fusion energy, brain-computer interface (BCI), embodied artificial intelligence, and 6G communications. These fields have not yet reached large-scale commercialization, but concentrated investment is flowing in as next-generation growth drivers.

Huanqiu analyzed this strategy as a dual-track structure of upgrading traditional manufacturing while securing new growth engines through cutting-edge emerging industries.

Shifting innovation paradigm

The 15th Five-Year Plan calls for full implementation of an AI-plus initiative to embed AI technology throughout industrial production. In core sectors such as integrated circuits, machine tools, and foundational software, policy simultaneously accelerates technological self-reliance through a state-led full-lifecycle innovation system. Huanqiu read this not merely as a change in R&D paradigm but as a remaking of industrial production itself.

Neighboring economies in competitive and cooperative relationships with China in advanced technology — including Korea and Taiwan — are closely watching this strategic direction.