The Press Center of the Fifth Session of the 12th National People’s Congress (NPC) held a press conference at the multifunction hall of Media Center at 9:00 am on March 11. Miao Wei, Minister of Industry and Information Technology, Xin Guobin, Vice Minister, and Zhang Feng, Chief Engineer and Spokesperson, were invited to answer questions from Chinese and foreign journalists on “promoting the implementation of ‘Made in China 2025’”.
Journalist from China Radio International Online: In recent years, due to multiple factors such as the product quality and brand, some consumers in China often choose to purchase high-end goods overseas through “cross-border online shopping” or other means. We have noticed that this year’s Government Work Report calls for building more world-renowned “Chinese brands” and ushering the Chinese economy into an era of quality. What concrete measures will the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology take to implement these requirements? Thank you.
Miao Wei: We also find that in recent years, with the development of Chinese tourism, an increasing number of Chinese people go overseas to buy some high-end products; and with the development of online shopping, “cross-border online shopping” also emerges.
Looking back, China went through the years of planned economy. It was an era of product shortage. At that era, our products were in short supply. With more than 30 years of reform and opening up, China’s economy has developed greatly and people’s livelihood has also improved significantly. Therefore, it is no longer possible to meet the needs of all consumers with one product. Back in my days, there were only two options for men’s clothes, either Chinese tunic suit or military uniform, either gray or blue. In today’s society, I have heard that young girls feel embarrassed if they meet someone wearing the same clothes as them on the street, which is called “Same Dress”. This reflects the change of consumer demand.
With the continuous improvement of people’s living standards, great changes have taken place in the level of consumption. There are consumptions to meet the basic needs, and also consumptions to pursue brand or value, and even to save face. In view of the changing consumer demand, I would like to say, domestic goods should make self-improvement.
This shows that we still have problems on the supply side. Although there is overcapacity in many sectors, the demand for mid- and high-end products cannot be met. Therefore, in the Government Work Report, the Premier also put forward the task of promoting the stable growth of consumption and comprehensively improving the quality level, which has pointed out the direction and specified the requirements for the transformation and upgrading of the national consumer goods industry. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will earnestly implement the Premier’s requirements in this regard and solve the problem from several aspects.
Firstly, advance the supply-side structural reform. In particular, we should increase the supply of med- and high-end consumer goods. This year, we will organize industry associations to release guidelines for upgrading and innovating consumer products, and introduce a number of personalized, green and fashionable products. We will accelerate the conversion of international standardization, comprehensively raise the quality and grade of milk powder, diapers, medicines, toilet seats, rice cookers and other products, and strive to meet consumer demand for high-end products.
Secondly, further implement the “Variety - Quality - Brand” campaign in the consumer goods industry to enhance the supply capacity. In terms of “increasing varieties”, we will further strengthen the industrial design of light textile products and the creative design of textiles and garments; develop smart consumer goods and nutrition & health consumer goods; and introduce a new batch of drugs and medical devices. In terms of “improving quality”, we will organize international benchmarking and quality comparison activities for some products. In particular, we will set up a number of demonstration centers for food quality testing, and some new pharmaceutical and raw drug enterprises will obtain the GMP certification. In terms of “creating brand”, we will support trade associations in developing our own brands, cultivate several well-known brands of light textiles, and support industries and local governments in holding major exhibition events such as consumer goods expos, so as to expand brand awareness and reputation through various means.
Thirdly, continue to implement smart manufacturing projects and steadily improve the quality of consumer goods. According to the different industry characteristics, we will continue to promote mass personalized customization in the home appliance and textile industries to meet the needs of different consumers, and encourage enterprises to strengthen research and development, production, marketing and service model innovation. We will support and encourage enterprises to shift from simple quantitative growth to quality improvement and technological innovation.
At Last, create a sound environment and build more world-renowned “Chinese brands”. In particular, we should reinforce market supervision to crack down on counterfeits and infringements of intellectual property rights. We should promote the spirit of craftsmanship, strengthen vocational education, foster a culture of artisans, and cultivate more skilled craftsmen. We should support the introduction of consumer goods into the market and onto the global stage, and increase the export of branded products instead of unbranded ones. This year, we will focus on increasing support for the development of the consumer goods industry from the above four aspects.
