High Quality Development Research Tour | Targeting "New Quality" Drive and Focusing on Strategic Support - Jilin Assists in Revitalizing Manufacturing with High end Equipment Manufacturing | High end | Support

Changchun, September 18th (Xinhua) - Targeting "New Quality" as a Driving Force and Focusing on Strategic Support - Jilin Helps Revitalization with High end Equipment Manufacturing Industry

Xinhua News Agency reporter Yao Shi

In China, the Jiefang J7 high-end tractor developed by FAW is galloping on the expressway, serving the Chinese path to modernization construction; Overseas, CRRC Changke produces rail cars that operate on various continents, and "China Smart Manufacturing" contributes to the "China solution". The high-end equipment manufacturing industry, which aims to promote industrial innovation through technological innovation, improve production efficiency through digital and intelligent upgrading, connect Europe and Asia to promote domestic and international dual circulation, and target new quality productivity, is rising in the old industrial base of Jilin.

Technology Helps Key Core Technologies Boost Confidence

In autumn, the land of Northeast China has a clear blue sky and golden rice fields. On the road, "next day delivery" express trucks and cold chain logistics vehicles are traveling at high speed. In the past, for long-distance trunk transportation of thousands of kilometers, foreign branded heavy-duty trucks were predominant. Nowadays, the release of the Jiefang J7 high-end vehicle is gradually occupying the domestic high-end commercial vehicle market.

"The lifespan of the entire vehicle has increased from 800000 kilometers to 1.5 million kilometers, involving a re examination of hundreds of key components, each of which needs to be carefully studied and repeatedly demonstrated," said Liu Huishen, Chief Engineer of Vehicle Development at FAW Jiefang Commercial Vehicle Development Institute. He led a design team of over 400 people to develop the J7 platform series of models, which greatly improved the overall lifespan and manufacturing level of the vehicle.

At the FAW Jiefang J7 Intelligent Factory located in Changchun, Jilin, staff perform static inspections on assembled vehicles. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xu Chang

To promote the comprehensive revitalization of Northeast China, the foundation lies in the real economy, the key lies in technological innovation, and the direction is industrial upgrading. In Jilin, traditional industries are constantly upgrading, emerging industries continue to make efforts, and a new pattern of productive forces supported by multiple industries is accelerating.

In the first half of the year, four carbon fiber industry chain projects of Jilin Chemical Fiber started construction, and the enterprise's fiber precursor production capacity reached 160000 tons, ranking among the top in the world. In 2022, FAW Jiefang J7 tractor successfully passed the relevant EU vehicle certification, leading Chinese commercial vehicles to catch up with the world's most advanced level.

The production of new energy vehicles increased by 1.2 times, and the production of high-speed trains increased by 3.1 times... In the first half of this year, the output value of high-end equipment manufacturing industry in Jilin Province increased by 10.1%, the output value of new energy industry increased by 8.1%, and the output value of the new generation information technology industry increased by 12.6%, all of which were significantly higher than the growth rate of all industries above designated size.

Changchun City has also issued several opinions on accelerating the development of scientific and technological innovation, and established a strategic cooperation committee for the transformation of scientific and technological achievements. "The high-end manufacturing industry must inquire about technology in order to achieve the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, the optimization and strengthening of advantageous industries, and the innovation and rise of emerging industries." said Zhao Mingrui, Director of the Changchun Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology.

Digital Empowerment, Informatization, Intelligence, and Efficiency Improvement

In the welding and assembly workshop of FAW Hongqi Prosperity Factory, more than 680 welding robots are waving their arms and busy working. They are covered with more than 3000 data collection points, which can determine in real-time whether the welding temperature and other conditions have reached the optimal state. "The prosperous factory has introduced an intelligent central control system, with five major workshops including stamping, welding, painting, final assembly, and battery electric drive, which can collect and monitor equipment data in real time," said the relevant person in charge of FAW Group.

Under the wave of digitalization and intelligence, the new generation of information technology is deeply integrated with the real economy, leading the manufacturing industry in old industrial bases to embark on quality, efficiency, and power changes.

Encourage eligible enterprises to upgrade first and benchmark their experience. According to the list of national intelligent manufacturing demonstration factories, multiple factories including Jilin FAW Jiefang Automobile Co., Ltd.'s high-end medium and heavy-duty truck intelligent manufacturing demonstration factory and FAW Volkswagen Co., Ltd.'s large-scale passenger car intelligent manufacturing demonstration factory have been shortlisted. At present, Jilin Province has promoted more than a hundred industrial enterprises to complete the main construction of digital transformation.

In the welding and assembly workshop of FAW Hongqi Prosperity Factory located in Changchun, Jilin, robots weld vehicle components. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Nan

After the renovation, many manufacturing enterprises have reduced energy consumption and costs, and improved product quality. "Compared to the past, energy consumption has decreased by 6% and efficiency has increased by 6%," said Fu Qiang, Operations Director of Changchun Fusheng Automotive Accessories Co., Ltd.

Open cooperation: "China's Smart Manufacturing" goes global to gain fame

At the Changchun Xinglong Railway Port International Land Port Station, containers are neatly arranged, and staff are busy with work. Rows of passenger cars produced by China FAW are waiting to be loaded. On September 11th, the 110 TEU vehicle was loaded with the China Europe freight train and departed from Changchun to Europe.

Dai Wei, General Manager of Changchun International Land Port Development Co., Ltd., introduced that from January to August 2023, the China Europe freight train carried a total of 5908 TEUs of goods, a year-on-year increase of 27.1%. Through trains, cars and electromechanical products produced in China are transported to Europe, while German automotive components such as BMW and Audi are shipped from Europe to Northeast China. The old industrial base actively participates in the global economic cycle.

Not only automobiles, but also railway passenger cars produced in Jilin Province are heading towards the world. CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd. has exported its products to more than 20 countries and regions including the United States, Australia, Brazil, Singapore, and has signed contracts for the export of over 9500 vehicles.

In April of this year, the Medellin DLS project in Colombia began construction, and China CRRC Overseas Digital Life Cycle "System+" solution was implemented. "The Medellin 80 Avenue Light Rail Project is an important infrastructure project in the local area in recent years, which helps to alleviate congestion, reduce carbon emissions, and benefit more than one million urban residents," said Jiang Boyang, the designer of CRRC Long Distance Bus.

From being a single "product provider" to becoming a "practitioner of social responsibility," Jilin, the old industrial base, is using its continuously rising high-end equipment manufacturing industry to assist in the comprehensive revitalization of Northeast China domestically, and serving as an industry "promoter" and cultural "translator" overseas.