HANGZHOU — China will step up efforts to promote industrial design to help enhance the country’s manufacturing sector, Vice-Premier Ma Kai said on Dec 2.

Ma made the remarks when delivering a speech at the first World Industrial Design Conference in the eastern city of Hangzhou.

China will make significant efforts to improve the environment for developing the industrial design sector and accelerate its upgrading so as to bring about a more competitive manufacturing sector, Ma said.

The vice-premier called for more international cooperation to make the sector more digitalized, more Internet-based, smarter and greener.

All countries should also work together to promote innovation of the industrial design sector and improve the global system for design innovation, Ma added.

The vice-premier also urged all countries to boost policy communication, encourage exchange of talent, facilitate mutual recognition of standards and jointly fight intellectual property infringements.