Gasgoo Munich-The 2026 Tianjin Automotive Forum kicked off on September 19. In his opening remarks, Wang Weiming, chief engineer at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), highlighted that China’s auto sector has established a complete industrial ecosystem—spanning basic materials, components, whole vehicles, and manufacturing equipment. Technological strides are evident: lithium-ion battery energy density has hit 300 Wh/kg, megawatt-level fast charging has entered mass production, and innovations in human-machine interaction, end-to-end computing, and large models are leading the world.China has held the top spot globally in automobile production and sales for 17 consecutive years, and in new-energy vehicles for 11. Foreign players like Tesla have set up shop locally, while multinationals including Volkswagen, Stellantis, and Mercedes-Benz have deepened ties with Chinese firms. Leading the formulation of 18 global regulatory coordination documents and 30 international standards, China is now deeply integrated into the global industrial and supply chains.Image Credit: 2026 Teda ForumYet, Wang warned that the industry faces significant challenges. Shortfalls remain in high-end smart chips and operating systems, while competition is intensifying around next-generation batteries and autonomous driving. Domestically, demand is sluggish and profit margins in auto manufacturing continue to slide. Irrational competition persists, and certain regions are erecting investment and trade barriers.Moving forward, the MIIT will implement measures across four key areas. First, it will reinforce the role of enterprises as primary innovators, pushing for the industrialization of technologies like automotive chips, all-solid-state batteries, operating systems, and autonomous driving models. Second, the ministry will execute trade-in programs and promote NEVs in rural areas, while piloting projects to fill gaps in charging infrastructure and scaling up the use of heavy-duty electric trucks. It also aims to bolster the vehicle export support system. Third, efforts will focus on enhancing production consistency and quality—specifically through a special campaign to elevate automotive standards. This includes optimizing credit management policies, enforcing better payment terms, and cracking down on industry irregularities. Finally, China remains committed to international innovation and global development. The ministry stands against protectionism, will push for mutual recognition of international standards, welcomes increased foreign investment, and supports joint technical R&D between Chinese and foreign enterprises.The "15th Five-Year Plan" for intelligent connected new-energy vehicles, spearheaded by the MIIT, will serve as the industry’s guiding blueprint as all parties work together to implement it.
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