New strategic plan to enhance China's industrial edge

China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) offers a clear direction for the country and opportunities for the world, especially in terms of intelligence, sustainability and green practices, said head of Rockwell Automation China.

Ian Shih, president of Rockwell Automation (China) Co Ltd, said: "The plan is straightforward, giving multinational corporations clear directions to develop their businesses in China.

"China's economic resilience lies in the fact that the country covers over 600 sub-industries in the world. The completeness of the industrial coverage gives it a complete capability to serve not only the Chinese market, but also the global economy. This is a strong foundation supporting the Chinese economy moving forward."

Defined by the United Nations, China's industrial system contains 41 major categories, 207 medium categories and 666 sub categories, from the exploitation of basic resources to high-end manufacturing, demonstrating the completeness of its industrial chain.

Shih noted that, "more importantly, how do China's industries continue to evolve leveraging the latest technology to become smarter, more sustainable, greener and consolidating its strength? As a chain leader of industrial services, we have the responsibility to support how this journey is moving forward".

Being in China since 1988, Rockwell Automation positions itself as a chain leader of industrial services, where the purpose is to collaborate with cross functional ecosystem partners, with the ability to focus on solving industrial and social challenges.

"China has long been an important part of our global business strategy. For nearly four decades, Rockwell Automation has witnessed and participated in China's remarkable economic growth. The country's continued efforts to promote high-standard opening-up and improve its business environment will further unleash innovation, create broader opportunities for multinational enterprises operating in China and contribute to the prosperity of the world economy," Shih said.

He noted that intelligence, sustainability, innovation and openness are the four core themes guiding Rockwell Automation's recent development in China.

"Building on these principles, Rockwell Automation has supported numerous Chinese companies in achieving digital-intelligent and green transformation, creating success stories with global impact."

Through initiatives such as the joint innovation hub by Caohejing high-tech park and Rockwell Automation, and the Climate Lighthouse initiative — both in Shanghai — Rockwell Automation is developing replicable models that can be applied more broadly, while sharing its expertise in low-carbon solutions with partners around the world.

Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, said: "The collaboration between MNCs and local partners has shifted to a deep mode combining policy synergy, research and development co-creation and ecological integration. The collaboration not only accelerated China's industrial transformation, but also provided a 'China solution' for global sustainable development."

Yu Fenghui, an independent financial commentator, said, "Through technical exchange and R&D co-creation, both parties have jointly overcome a series of key technological challenges, such as efficient battery technology and intelligent connected vehicles, promoting technological progress in related industries."

In addition, MNCs' advantages in finance and technology combining Chinese companies' market sensitivity and execution capability, enable them to better promote intelligent, green solutions in China and the rest of the world. This is a win-win situation, offering strong support for the global economy's green and smart transformation, he added.