Beijing looks to secure strategic edge across critical sectors, with premier emphasising smart upgrades for state firms ahead of his ‘Summer Davos’ speech
2-MIN READ2-MINJune Xiain Hong KongandJi Siqiin BeijingPublished: 4:00pm, 23 Jun 2026During an inspection of shipbuilding and nuclear power firms in China’s heavy industrial hub in the northeast, Premier Li Qiang pushed state-owned firms to achieve breakthroughs in high-end equipment manufacturing and to bolster the nation’s core industrial competitiveness.
“Dalian’s shipbuilding industry boasts a long history and a solid foundation in developing high-end equipment manufacturing,” Li was quoted as saying by Xinhua during his visit to a state-owned shipbuilder in the harbour city in Liaoning province on Monday.
He emphasised that the sector must closely track the international technological frontier, focus on securing continuous breakthroughs in key fields, and strengthen industrial exchanges and cooperation to build an advanced manufacturing cluster and a world-class shipbuilding base.
“High-end shipbuilding is characterised by advanced technology, high complexity and high added value,” Li was quoted as saying, adding that efforts should be made to reinforce the role of enterprises as the mainstay of innovation, accelerate research and development of key technologies, and cultivate a skilled workforce of technical experts and experienced industrial workers.
