Published by ChinaMNC · Qidong

China’s 2026 World Intelligent Manufacturing Conference: What Foreign Founders Need to Know

The 2026 World Intelligent Manufacturing Conference will be held in Nanjing from November 19–21, approved by the State Council and co-hosted by Jiangsu Province and the International Intelligent Manufacturing Alliance. The event offers foreign founders a platform to explore China’s AI+ manufacturing landscape, connect with industrial ecosystems, and understand practical digital transformation pathways.

Event Overview

The 2026 World Intelligent Manufacturing Conference (WIMC) will take place in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, from November 19 to 21. The event is approved by China’s State Council and jointly hosted by the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government and the International Intelligent Manufacturing Alliance. For foreign founders considering registering a company or expanding operations in China, this conference represents a significant opportunity to engage with China’s advanced manufacturing sector and understand the policy and technology trends shaping the industry.

What to Expect: Agenda and Format

According to provincial officials, the conference will feature one main thematic session, more than 10 specialized activities, and nearly 30 industrial ecosystem conferences. These components will create a multi-layered event system that combines high-level forums, achievement releases, frontier exhibitions, and industry matchmaking. The agenda is designed to cover both strategic discussions and practical applications, making it relevant for founders seeking to navigate China’s manufacturing innovation landscape.

Key Highlights and Releases

The conference will release several notable outputs:

• Pilot-level smart factory construction results – showcasing progress in building advanced intelligent factories.
• 2026 World and China Top 10 Intelligent Manufacturing Science and Technology Advances – recognizing leading technological developments.
• National Intelligent Manufacturing Expert Committee research reports – providing authoritative analysis.
• Innovative achievements such as pilot and excellence-level smart factories, industrial datasets, large model algorithms, and industrial world model generators – demonstrating how next-generation intelligent manufacturing is moving from theory to practice.

These releases offer foreign founders insights into the cutting-edge technologies and standards that may influence future market opportunities and partnership avenues.

Jiangsu’s Industrial Ecosystem: A Foundation for Collaboration

Jiangsu Province brings substantial practical experience to the conference. The province has opened industrial scenarios from 28,000 enterprises, has 27 national artificial intelligence typical cases, and has provided transformation diagnosis services to over 19,000 enterprises. These figures illustrate the depth of Jiangsu’s manufacturing base and its commitment to digital transformation.

At the conference, academicians, experts, and industry leaders will engage in deep exchanges on topics such as:

• Iterative upgrading of smart factories
• Breakthroughs in key equipment technologies
• Implementation of domain-specific large models
• Capacity building for service providers

Discussions will directly address the real pain points of enterprise digital transformation and distill replicable technical solutions and implementation models. These insights can serve as a reference for China’s national “AI + Manufacturing” initiative, and foreign founders can leverage them to align their own strategies with local priorities.

International Participation and Opportunities

The conference will include a dedicated International Guest Exhibition Area, attracting overseas enterprises from countries such as Germany and Switzerland to exhibit. This physical platform for international exchange and cooperation underscores China’s openness to global collaboration in intelligent manufacturing. For foreign founders, it provides a direct channel to showcase technologies, connect with potential partners, and understand the competitive landscape.

Why Foreign Founders Should Pay Attention

China’s manufacturing sector is undergoing a rapid digital and intelligent transformation, driven by supportive policies and massive market demand. The WIMC offers a concentrated view of the latest trends, technologies, and policy directions. For foreign founders in fields such as industrial software, robotics, AI algorithms, or smart factory solutions, participating—either directly or through monitoring the outcomes—can inform market entry strategies, partnership development, and product localization.

Moreover, the event’s focus on “AI + Manufacturing” aligns with China’s broader industrial upgrading goals, which may create opportunities for foreign expertise and investment. Understanding the showcased solutions and identified pain points can help foreign founders tailor their offerings to local needs.

Practical Takeaways for Company Registration and Operations

While the conference is not a regulatory or registration event, it provides valuable context for foreign founders planning to establish a presence in China:

• Ecosystem mapping: Identify key players, service providers, and industrial clusters.
• Technology trends: Gain insights into emerging standards and solutions that could affect market entry.
• Partnership opportunities: Connect with potential local partners, suppliers, and customers.
• Policy signals: Observe government priorities that may influence incentives or support programs.

Foreign founders should note that company registration and operations in China require compliance with local laws, including those related to foreign investment, tax, and data security. The conference’s discussions on digital transformation may also highlight regulatory considerations for technology deployment.

Conclusion

The 2026 World Intelligent Manufacturing Conference in Nanjing is set to be a pivotal event for understanding China’s intelligent manufacturing trajectory. For foreign founders, it offers a platform to learn, network, and potentially position their ventures within China’s evolving industrial ecosystem. By engaging with the conference’s outputs and participants, foreign entrepreneurs can better navigate the opportunities and challenges of operating in China’s manufacturing sector.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.