Zhang Fan, Vice-General Manager of China Electrical Equipment Group and National People’s Congress deputy, has positioned artificial intelligence integration with manufacturing as a national priority requiring comprehensive strategic planning. The prominent industry leader argues that China’s manufacturing sector must embrace AI technologies to achieve transformative innovation and maintain global competitiveness.
During recent parliamentary sessions, Zhang emphasized that ‘AI plus manufacturing’ represents the future of industrial development, necessitating strengthened top-level design and clear industry guidelines. His advocacy builds upon previous policy recommendations submitted last year, which called for deeper integration between artificial intelligence and manufacturing processes to drive high-quality development.
Zhang’s proposals have gained significant traction within China’s policy-making circles, receiving substantial attention from relevant government departments. His position combines practical industry experience with legislative influence, as demonstrated during his January 2026 inspection of China Electrical Equipment Group’s research facilities in Shanghai, where he assessed technological readiness for AI implementation.
The manufacturing expert’s recommendations align with China’s broader technological ambitions, suggesting that systematic AI adoption could revolutionize production efficiency, product quality, and innovation capabilities across traditional manufacturing sectors. This approach mirrors global trends where advanced economies are increasingly leveraging AI to maintain industrial leadership.
Zhang’s dual role as both industry executive and elected representative provides unique insights into the practical challenges and opportunities presented by AI integration, making his policy recommendations particularly valuable for China’s ongoing technological modernization efforts.