The National Development and Reform Commission reports that China's “three new” economy sectors—new industries, new business models, and new formats—already contributed over 18% of GDP by 2024. These sectors provide fertile ground for innovation-driven growth and the expansion of industrial value chains.

“China's strength lies in its robust real economy and comprehensive industrial system,” said Zhu Min, former deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund. “The key challenge—and opportunity—is to effectively integrate technological advancements to nurture new industries. This is central to sustaining economic momentum and expanding global competitiveness.”

Emerging sectors are transitioning from isolated technological breakthroughs to industrial-chain-wide expansion. For instance, the low-altitude economy, which includes industrial drones and related services, is rapidly moving from pilot applications to broader commercial adoption. Tian Gangyin, founder and CEO of unmanned aerial vehicle developer United Aircraft, highlighted the practical applications: “Industrial drones are now deployed for emergency rescue, power line inspection, agriculture, surveillance, and security operations. The 15th Five-Year Plan blueprint provides a clear path for scaling these applications and integrating them across industries.”

Aerospace is another focus area. Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co. plans to double its launch pads from two to four and advance rocket-recovery technologies. “By end-2026, our new pads and technical facilities will support more than 60 launches annually, with the potential for weekly missions per pad,” said Yang Tianliang, the company’s chairman. These developments position Hainan as a hub for commercial space activity with international implications.

The new energy sector, including nuclear power, is also gaining momentum. Wei Zhigang, chairman of Hainan Nuclear Power Co., pointed out that rising demand from AI computing and data centers is challenging traditional energy supply. “Secure, affordable, and low-carbon energy is now a key driver for high-quality growth in intelligent computing and related industries,” he said, underscoring the investment potential in clean energy projects.

China’s manufacturing dominance supports these emerging sectors. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology reports that China has led global manufacturing output for 15 consecutive years and ranks first worldwide in the production of more than 220 industrial products. Zhu Keli, founding dean of the China Institute of New Economy, emphasized, “The combination of scale, industrial depth, and market diversity creates vast opportunities for technological innovation and industrial growth, making China a strategic arena for investors seeking exposure to high-growth sectors.”

For global investors and industrial partners, the message is clear: China's strategic emerging industries are expanding rapidly, with concrete investment and partnership opportunities in high-value areas such as new energy, advanced materials, aerospace, and low-altitude commercial applications. Companies positioned to provide technology, equipment, or operational expertise stand to benefit from both market scale and the broader integration of industrial chains.