According to a report by China.org.cn on March 10 (reporter Wu Binbin), during the Two Sessions of 2025, Lu Weiding, a deputy to the National People's Congress and Chairman of Wanxiang Group, accepted an exclusive interview with a reporter from China.org.cn. As an outstanding representative of private enterprises, Lu Weiding shared Wanxiang Group’s practices and outlook on promoting the development of the private economy, fostering independent technological innovation, and driving green and intelligent transformation.

Focus on the development of the private economy and actively offer advice and suggestions.

Lu Weiding stated that, as a private entrepreneur, he has consistently focused on the development of the private economy and industry-related issues for three consecutive years—such as the construction of international science and technology innovation platforms, demonstration projects for electrochemical energy storage applications in multiple scenarios, and the building of an energy industry system. He hopes that by taking the lead in piloting and experimenting, he can drive progress in these areas and contribute to the high-quality development of the private economy.

“Two Unwavering Principles” Safeguard the Development of Private Enterprises

Lu Weiding highly praised the important role played by the “two unwavering commitments” policy in China’s economic system reform and the development of the socialist market economy. It is precisely because of the policy’s safeguards that private entrepreneurs have been able to focus more wholeheartedly on their core businesses, hone their expertise in the real economy, and unleash their innovative vitality.

Wanxiang Group adheres to the principles that technology is the primary productive force, talent is the primary driving force, and innovation is the primary resource. By continuously enhancing its core competitiveness through technological innovation, the group remains deeply committed to the fields of intelligent control in mechanical engineering and clean energy. Relying on R&D centers established in key global markets—including China, North America, and Europe—the group promotes the globalization of technology, conducts cutting-edge research, and develops new products. It focuses its efforts on mastering critical core technologies such as bearings, chassis systems, materials science, and energy storage control. In the venture capital sector, Wanxiang continues to make strong investments, leveraging its venture capital funds to invest in advanced technologies and scientists in Europe and the U.S., including energy technology and artificial intelligence. More importantly, Wanxiang is building the Wanxiang Innovation & Talent Hub—a global hub for talent and technology in the manufacturing sector—positioning itself to seize the commanding heights of future industrial technology.

A virtuous cycle of independent technological innovation and self-reliant talent development

Speaking of corporate innovation, Lu Weiding emphasized that independent technological innovation is the cornerstone of national competitiveness. Only by mastering core technologies can a country take the initiative in international competition. Moreover, cultivating talent independently is the key to achieving independent technological innovation—without high-quality talent, innovation simply cannot get off the ground.

He pointed out that achieving a virtuous cycle of independent technological innovation and self-reliant talent development requires coordinated efforts from multiple stakeholders, including the state, universities, research institutions, and enterprises. At the national level, it is essential to increase investment in scientific research, improve the innovation system, reform the education model, and optimize the structure of talent cultivation. Universities and research institutions should strengthen industry-academia-research cooperation, cultivate innovative talents, and promote the commercialization of research findings. Enterprises, for their part, should actively participate in talent development and provide practical opportunities for students and young researchers.

Lu Weiding gave an example, saying that Wanxiang encourages talented individuals to “take on challenges and lead projects,” and cultivates a fertile ecosystem for technological innovation through measures such as awarding the annual Science and Technology Grand Prize. At the same time, Wanxiang promotes the “Three Innovations”—creation, entrepreneurship, and innovation—to inspire employees to boldly explore new frontiers. This multi-dimensional collaborative system effectively strengthens enterprises’ role as the main body of innovation and boosts the innovative vitality of private enterprises.

Greenization and Intelligentization: The Dual-Drive Engine of a High-Quality Development Strategy

Lu Weiding emphasized that Wanxiang has always aligned its corporate strengths with national development and the resolution of social issues, creating a positive cycle in which social responsibility is put into practice and corporate growth is fostered. Furthermore, Wanxiang has undertaken relevant explorations in the areas of green transformation and intelligentization.

In terms of green development, since 1999, Wanxiang Group has leveraged its strengths in the machinery industry to expand into the clean energy sector, continuously investing in clean and efficient energy technologies such as batteries, electric vehicles, energy storage, photovoltaic power generation, natural gas, and wind power. As a result, the group has built up globally leading technological and industrial expertise. At the same time, the group has focused on developing clean-energy vehicle products, implementing “lightweighting” modifications throughout the entire process—from design and materials to manufacturing processes—thereby achieving “green” development.

In terms of intelligent transformation, Wanxiang Group took Wanxiang Jinggong as a pilot demonstration ten years ago to promote digital and intelligent engineering. In 2024, the group added two “Future Factories” in Zhejiang Province, along with one provincial-level and one municipal-level smart manufacturing facility. Wanxiang Jinggong was also selected as a “Manufacturing Cloud Enterprise” in Zhejiang Province. Digital and intelligent transformation is not merely a technological innovation; it’s a management revolution that permeates every aspect of a company—from strategic planning and R&D and production to marketing, customer service, human resources, financial management, and organizational processes—reshaping the way businesses work and operate.

Focusing on the clean energy sector, we are committed to deepening our core business and driving technological innovation.

Through 56 years of development, Wanxiang has transformed from a rural blacksmith shop into a modern multinational conglomerate, establishing an integrated industrial platform both domestically and internationally. It has forged a strategic framework characterized by “Chinese investment, U.S.-based operations, global markets, innovative technologies, and the enhancement of China,” with clear advantages arising from the synergy between domestic and international efforts.

Lu Weiding is particularly bullish on clean energy and energy technology. He pointed out that Wanxiang Group has been focusing on the clean energy sector for more than two decades, adhering to a long-term mindset and concentrating on deepening its core business and driving technological innovation. As a result, the group has built up a solid industrial foundation and developed strong competitiveness in fields such as batteries, photovoltaics, and energy storage. Going forward, Wanxiang Group will continue to deepen its engagement in these areas, increase R&D investment, accelerate the commercialization of research findings, and achieve economies of scale. It will also leverage its industrial synergy advantages to build a more comprehensive new-energy industry ecosystem, thereby enhancing its market share and brand influence. At the same time, the group will pay close attention to emerging business models and innovative approaches in the new-energy sector, exploring new growth opportunities and injecting fresh vitality into its corporate development.

Strengthen execution, solidify expertise, and seize opportunities to achieve breakthroughs amid change.

Facing the global automotive industry’s trends toward electrification and intelligentization, Lu Weiding proposed that Wanxiang Group will seek breakthroughs in four key areas: “technology, products, globalization, and talent.”

He stated that Wanxiang Group will increase its R&D investment in core technology areas such as new-energy vehicle batteries and electric control systems, thereby driving breakthroughs in electrification technologies. The group will also focus on cutting-edge technology fields like intelligent chassis, accelerating its deployment in smart technologies. Through its venture capital fund, Wanxiang will track and invest in前沿 technologies such as artificial intelligence in Europe and the U.S. At the same time, Wanxiang will speed up its electrification upgrade by developing low-energy-consumption, lightweight, and high-performance components for new-energy vehicles. Furthermore, the company is actively developing intelligent products—such as intelligent chassis and advanced driver-assistance systems—that are key components of smart vehicles. In addition, Wanxiang has established R&D centers, engineering centers, and smart manufacturing plants in North America and Europe, integrating global resources to enhance its market competitiveness. In terms of talent acquisition, Wanxiang maintains strict hiring standards, places great value on young people, fosters innovation, and actively motivates employees’ innovative spirit. Moreover, through the Wanxiang Innovation Hub, the company is attracting top-tier global talent.