During a recent visit to manufacturing facilities and automation equipment suppliers in Suzhou, Jiangsu, and Changsha, Hunan, Apple’s Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams expressed his admiration for the advanced production lines and high levels of automation in Chinese manufacturing. He stated, “The sophistication of China’s suppliers and their precise manufacturing capabilities is truly impressive.” He also remarked, “Seeing so many advancements in smart manufacturing is nothing short of miraculous!”
In recent years, China’s manufacturing sector has rapidly progressed towards higher-end, intelligent production. For instance, Lens Technology, one of Apple’s key suppliers in China, has automated 70% of its production lines. At Luxshare Precision’s iPhone 16 assembly plant in Suzhou, a fully automated production line can produce over 10,000 units of the iPhone 16 Pro Max each day.
There are many similar examples. In Wuhu, Anhui, Chery Automobile’s welding workshop has achieved 100% automation in its welding processes. AI-driven visual guidance ensures precise control over more than 5,000 welding points on a single vehicle. Meanwhile, a self-developed robot by China National Building Material Group, which manufactures roller presses, has reached unmanned operation, with over 80% of the components for its clinker conveyors produced through automated processes.
Official data reveals that in the first three quarters of this year, China’s high-tech manufacturing value added grew by 9.1% year-on-year, exceeding the average growth rate of the larger industrial sector by 3.3 percentage points. The electronic and communication equipment manufacturing sector has maintained double-digit growth for 11 consecutive months, while electronics circuit manufacturing, integrated circuit production, and aerospace manufacturing have seen year-on-year growth of 20.8%, 17.3%, and 12.5%, respectively.
According to Liu Xianwei, a researcher at the Economic System and Management Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research, China’s manufacturing industry has developed the largest, most comprehensive, and competitive industrial framework in the world. In recent years, policy support for specialized and innovative enterprises, along with a new round of extensive equipment upgrades, has resulted in significant improvements in structure, technology, collaboration, and international competitiveness.
This enhanced manufacturing capability underscores China’s increasingly critical role in the global supply and industrial chains, making the country a more attractive destination for foreign investment. When multinational companies evaluate investment opportunities, local manufacturing and supply chain capabilities are crucial considerations. A strong manufacturing base and comprehensive industry ecosystems allow these companies to easily access necessary components and support, thereby enhancing their innovation and product development processes.
During his visit, Williams emphasized that China remains Apple’s most important supply chain location, and the company plans to increase its investments in the region. Over the past five years, Apple has invested a staggering $20 billion in smart and green manufacturing initiatives within China.
Moreover, many foreign executives have echoed this sentiment in interviews, highlighting China’s increasingly significant role in global supply chains as a major reason for their commitment to the market. As GE Healthcare’s China Supply Chain General Manager Chen Heqiang noted, China’s vast manufacturing, talent, and innovation resources not only push the country towards high-end production but also establish it as a “granary” for global supply chains. As China’s industrial and supply chains advance, the quality and standards of its suppliers will naturally improve.
These factors contribute to a growing trend among foreign companies, as revealed by official statistics showing nearly 37,000 new foreign enterprises established in China from January to August this year—a year-on-year increase of 11.5%. Actual foreign investment has topped 580 billion yuan, placing China at a high level both in comparison to other countries and in terms of historical foreign investment growth. Notably, the actual foreign investment in high-tech manufacturing has increased by 1.9 percentage points compared to the same period last year.
With China continuing to deliver high-quality “Made in China” products and stable supply chains to the world, its attractiveness to global investors is likely to further strengthen.
