Hubei’s New Year Conference Sets Ambitious Goals for Strategic Development

Embracing the Future with Determination – The Hubei “First Meeting of the New Year” Sets the Course for “Pivot Construction” and Accelerates Progress

In the exhibition hall, the humanoid robot “Jingchu” extends its dexterous hand, equipped with “electronic skin,” and skillfully picks up a piece of soft tofu, leaving onlookers in awe. On the production line, such advanced electronic skin technology has already delivered 10,000 sets, with the manufacturing company Huawai Technology projecting a 300% increase in orders for 2026, showcasing a bustling atmosphere.

As the Year of the Horse dawns, the region is eager to compete and excel. Entering the new lunar year, the Hubei “First Meeting of the New Year” once again focuses on “pivot construction,” sending a clear signal of determination to effectively advance this initiative and ensure significant progress is made.

Initiating a New Chapter: A Year of New Beginnings

The provincial conference aimed at accelerating the establishment of a crucial strategic pivot for the rise of central China was held in Wuhan on the 24th. Humanoid robots like “Jingchu” and “Photon S3” showcased their remarkable skills in the themed event “Embracing a Digital Future, Advancing Pivot Construction.”

Professor Tao Bo, the chief scientist at Hubei Jingchu Humanoid Robot Co., Ltd. and a faculty member at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, noted that “Jingchu” has integrated magnetic tactile sensors in its fingertips, allowing it to perceive force and pressure in real time. Last year, the number of joints in the robot was only around twenty; this year, it has increased to over forty. This technological evolution means that “Jingchu” is not only capable of picking up tofu but will soon join the assembly line at Dongfeng Motor, performing tasks such as part handling, sorting, and inspection.

In last year’s “First Meeting of the New Year,” Hubei introduced ten humanoid robots. This time, 13 models and 31 units of “Hubei-made” humanoid robots made their debut, featuring both upgraded models and new entrants. Additionally, four models of eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft), including the first ton-level ducted “flying car” and an “aerial mobile ICU” capable of swiftly transporting critically ill patients, were also showcased.

On the ground, humanoid robots entered practical applications, while in the air, eVTOL aircraft spread their wings, symbolizing the new beginning of Hubei’s pivot construction.

Looking back at 2025, the region has consistently prioritized pivot construction, resulting in a more scientific strategic layout, strengthened efforts, and noticeable developmental outcomes, exhibiting a flourishing and comprehensive upward trend:

• Economic Strength: The total economic output reached 62.661 trillion yuan, positioning it among the top in growth among major provinces and central regions.
• Quality of Development: The five key pillar industries—optoelectronics, automobile manufacturing and services, healthcare, modern chemistry, and agricultural product processing—have all surpassed a trillion yuan in scale.
• Expansion of Influence: The province’s high-speed rail operating mileage ranks fifth nationally, while the number of ports handling over 100 million tons of cargo leads in inland regions. Huahu International Airport has launched 114 cargo routes, the highest in the nation.

Driving Breakthroughs: Commitment to “Pivot Construction”

The pre-meeting displays served as a showcase of the achievements made during the “Year of New Beginnings,” while the meeting itself was a call to action for further progress.

The Hubei “First Meeting of the New Year” emphasized the goal of accelerating the establishment of a vital strategic pivot for regional growth, urging the deep implementation of “seven major strategies,” enhancing “seven capabilities,” and striving for decisive advances in pivot construction.

How can we transition from “initiating progress” to “achieving results”?

Inside the conference hall, each deployment was strong and resolute.

Efforts will be intensified in various areas:

• Innovation Leadership: Achieving new breakthroughs in building a modern industrial system.
• Domestic Demand: Making new progress in transforming economic growth drivers.
• Regional Collaboration: Taking new steps in promoting coordinated high-quality development in the Han, Xiang, and Yi triangle.
• Key Support: Achieving new results in solidifying the foundation for pivot construction.
• Reform Initiatives: Realizing new improvements in activating development momentum.
• Foreign Openings: Gaining new results in establishing an inland open hub.
• Living Conditions: Reaching new levels in enhancing the well-being of the population.

Outside the conference hall, all levels of the province are determined to break through and achieve their objectives.

In the Zhangwan District of Shiyan City, technicians at Dongfeng Equipment Manufacturing Company’s newly launched intelligent equipment lab are digitally adjusting the production line. Engineer Ruan Chongwei explained that through the deep application of artificial intelligence and digital twin technologies, product quality and production efficiency have significantly improved. The company’s projects across six factories have entered a busy delivery phase, with orders reaching record highs.

Technological innovation is the core engine driving development, and a modern industrial system is the foundation of pivot construction.

In Wuhan, the optical valley innovation corridor boasts world-leading technologies in ultra-high-speed optical modules and high-end optical chips, supplying global clients. The automotive innovation corridor is rapidly advancing core technologies in new energy vehicles and intelligent connectivity. In the riverside digital innovation corridor, computing power, data, and algorithm elements are rapidly converging…

The integration of technological and industrial innovation is shifting from breakthroughs at individual points to forming a cohesive force, with educational advantages continuously transforming into development strengths, becoming a distinctive feature of Hubei’s pivot construction.

Intensifying Efforts: Ensuring Decisive Progress

“The project was signed on October 9 last year and was topped out in just four months…” said Chen Lijun, the construction director at Yichang’s industrial park.

In early February, the main structure of the first phase of the Yichang Envision Energy intelligent lithium battery production base was completed, with an annual production capacity planned at 40GWh. To seize market opportunities, party members and cadres in Yichang have embraced a spirit of hard work and commitment, living on-site and pushing the project forward to minimize the transition time from signing to implementation.

Besides the Envision Energy project, the Chuaneng New Energy 80GWh lithium battery project completed a thousand-acre site leveling in just 40 days, and the Xinwangda Dongfeng power battery project took only 313 days from foundation work to cell production… The speed of Yichang exemplifies Hubei’s determination to ensure decisive progress in pivot construction.

During the “First Meeting of the New Year,” Hubei released the “2025 Provincial Pivot Construction Evaluation Report,” the “Action Plan for Accelerating Pivot Construction,” and a key work list for 2026, signaling a clear commitment to a year of intensified efforts.

With the blueprint drawn, the focus now turns to implementation, driven by the people and, notably, by the cadres.

The “Action Plan for Deepening and Expanding Cadre Quality Enhancement” indicates that this year will see a deepened commitment to building a cohesive team, striving for excellence, enhancing foundational capabilities, resolving issues of inaction, and promoting the fine tradition of engaging with the community. Efforts will also be made to enhance the political quality, awareness of pivot construction, the skills for high-quality development, proactive spirit, public welfare concerns, and resilience against corruption, ensuring that decisive progress in pivot construction is achieved.

With the spring breeze blowing, a thousand sails compete. Hubei is poised to stride forward into the future with determination and hard work.