China’s machinery industry has recorded strong gains in industrial capacity, foreign trade and technological advancement during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025), according to the latest figures released by the China Machinery Industry Federation.
Data show that the number of machinery enterprises above the designated size climbed sharply, rising from around 92,000 at the end of 2020 to approximately 137,000 by the end of October 2025, underscoring the sector’s rapid expansion.
The industry’s overall scale has also continued to grow steadily. Since 2021, added value in the machinery sector has increased at an average annual rate of 7.1 percent. Between January and October this year, total foreign trade in machinery products reached $1.03 trillion, marking a 7.6 percent year-on-year increase. Full-year import and export volumes are expected to hit a new record high.
Supported by the development of industrial clusters, China’s global footprint in the sector has strengthened, with 13 domestic companies now ranking among the world’s top 50 construction machinery manufacturers.
Looking ahead to the next five-year planning cycle, Xu Niansha, president of the federation, said the industry will prioritize improving the resilience and security of industrial and supply chains, while accelerating the cultivation of new growth drivers. Future efforts will also focus on advancing intelligent manufacturing, green development and deeper industrial integration.
