Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Yangquan Valve Co., Ltd. in Shanxi Province this week, spotlighting a century-old industrial enterprise now leading China's technological transformation. Founded in 1924, the company has evolved into a nationally recognized \"little giant\" – a designation for specialized high-tech firms driving China's manufacturing upgrade.
During his tour of the production workshop, President Xi examined patented valve systems used in energy and infrastructure projects. The company has secured over 50 patents through sustained R&D investment, with 80% of its products exported to markets across Asia and Europe. \"Independent innovation is the lifeblood of enterprise development,\" Xi told workers, praising their contributions to China's industrial modernization.
Yangquan Valve's evolution mirrors China's broader push to cultivate 10,000 \"little giants\" by 2025 under the Made in China 2025 initiative. These agile firms combine traditional manufacturing expertise with cutting-edge technologies like smart manufacturing systems and IoT integration.
For investors, the visit underscores opportunities in China's advanced manufacturing sector, which grew 6.7% year-on-year in Q1 2024. Academics note the company's success demonstrates how legacy industries can reinvent themselves through state-supported innovation ecosystems.
