Shanghai - Zhang Fan is vice general manager of China Electrical Equipment Group and a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC). Zhang believes that "artificial intelligence (AI) plus manufacturing" would be achieved through strengthening top-level design and industry guidelines. Last year, Zhang presented a suggestion on deepening integration of manufacturing and AI to promote high-quality innovative development. His suggestion was given great importance.

Zhang Fan inspects a research base of China Electrical Equipment Group in Shanghai, east China, Jan. 27, 2026. (Photo/Xinhua)

In January 2026, eight departments of China including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology jointly issued a plan which outlines an ambitious push to deeply integrate AI with the manufacturing sector, foster new quality productive forces and comprehensively empower new industrialization.

Zhang stated that he will continue to concentrate on issues about the bottlenecks of data sharing in AI-driven manufacturing sector and successful experiences of leading enterprises.