GUANGZHOU — Vice-Premier Ma Kai has called for greater efforts to boost the country’s intelligent manufacturing and improve competitiveness in the manufacturing industry.

During a tour to southern China’s Guangdong province from Sept 7 to 8, Ma visited a series of high-end manufacturers, information technology businesses, and intelligent equipment manufacturers.

He said significant progress had been made since the introduction of the “Made in China 2025” initiative last year.

The “Made in China 2025” initiative is a 10-year national plan designed to transform China from a manufacturing giant into a high-tech manufacturing power. Robots and high-end computer controlled machine tools are among 10 key fields listed in the initiative.

Ma stressed innovation and cooperation in the industry, stating that firms and universities should make breakthroughs in core technology as soon as possible.

He called for the building of a standardized intelligent manufacturing system, developing of software and hardware, and training of personnel.

Greater efforts should be made to upgrade traditional manufacturing and to establish smart factories, he said.

Ma also called for integration of the internet and the manufacturing industry, to move the sector up the value chain.