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This Saturday, the city of Hefei in Anhui Province will serve as the backdrop for the 2025 World Manufacturing Convention, marking a pivotal moment for China's ambitions in global investment and industrial collaboration. Running until Tuesday, this four-day event, co-hosted by the Anhui provincial government and various industry associations, promises a rich agenda filled with keynote speeches, project signings, and exhibitions that underscore China's strides in industrial modernization.

In a show of support, China’s top leadership has issued a congratulatory letter, emphasizing the convention's role in fostering international influence and promoting greater openness within the industrial sector. The 2025 edition is set to attract a diverse array of participants, including foreign political leaders, ministers, diplomats, and executives from some of the world's leading corporations, alongside representatives from international organizations and business associations.

Attendees can look forward to a packed schedule that includes forums focused on supply chain matchmaking, discussions on digital transformation in manufacturing, and collaboration meetings tailored for small and medium-sized enterprises. Sessions will delve into cutting-edge industries such as artificial intelligence, the low-altitude economy, and advanced photovoltaic technologies. Among the highlights, the convention will unveil the 2025 China Top 500 Manufacturing Enterprises list, showcasing industry rankings and facilitating the signing of major investment deals involving state-owned enterprises, private firms, and foreign investors.

Chang Yejun, deputy secretary general of the Anhui provincial government, notes that the World Manufacturing Convention has evolved into a crucial link between Chinese manufacturing and the global market. This year’s gathering aims to further enhance international exchanges and broaden opportunities for collaboration in burgeoning sectors. For Anhui, hosting this event is not merely about showcasing its industrial capabilities but also about illustrating its transformation from a region historically reliant on coal and agriculture into a burgeoning industrial and innovation powerhouse.

The province's economic growth reflects this evolution, with a reported 5.8 percent increase in GDP to 5.06 trillion yuan in 2024, alongside a 9 percent rise in industrial output and a 7.4 percent increase in exports during the first half of 2025. Exports surged by an impressive 15.2 percent year-on-year, driven by the automotive and high-tech sectors.

The exhibitions at the convention will highlight China's manufacturing journey under its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), showcasing everything from large-scale equipment and green manufacturing initiatives to international cooperation projects. An immersive online exhibition will complement the physical event, providing a cloud-based viewing experience for those unable to attend in person. Specialized events will also engage participants on critical topics such as digital transformation, intellectual property rights in manufacturing, and partnerships with German small and medium-sized enterprises, while a dedicated forum will spotlight China's ambitions in the drone and air mobility sectors.