Both countries should leverage each other's unique advantages, experts say

China and Japan should achieve an extraordinary level of technological and industrial cooperation by leveraging each other's unique advantages, experts from the two countries said.

They made the remarks at a dialogue with the theme "China in Springtime — Sharing Opportunities with the World" in Tokyo on Monday.

They particularly named China's impressive advancements in artificial intelligence innovation.

According to the World Intellectual Property Organization, from 2014 to 2023, China produced more than 38,000 generative AI-related inventions — six times more than the second-ranking United States. Additionally, five of the world's top 10 GenAI patent applicants were Chinese companies.

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"As AI advances, China's manufacturing capabilities will reach an unprecedented level in human history, fundamentally reshaping the global economy," said Hidetoshi Tashiro, chief economist at Infinity LLC, a Japanese consulting firm advising on stock trading and real estate management.

Japan-China collaboration in AI is already underway. Speaking at the dialogue in Tokyo, which was hosted by the Chinese embassy in Japan and China Media Group on Monday, Tashiro highlighted an autonomous vehicle test in Beijing, where a Toyota Lexus was equipped with China's Pony.ai self-driving system.

"When Japan's precision manufacturing technology combines with China's bold AI innovation, the result is an unstoppable force. Together, we can achieve an extraordinary level of technological and industrial cooperation," he said.

Tomoyoshi Kimura, a former NHK journalist, said China's development is not just about catching up with other countries — it is about expanding into new frontiers.

"Rather than simply chasing after others, China is carving out new areas of advancement. While it does not follow Japan's industrial model, it has recognized the significance of foundational technologies and is actively integrating small and medium-sized enterprises into its economic strategy," Kimura said.

China's advancements in Deep-Seek exploration and the practical application of small-scale robotics in everyday life have captured global attention. Additionally, its progress in autonomous driving has impressed Japanese tourists, who were among the first to experience driverless taxis. These breakthroughs highlight China's remarkable capacity for innovation, said Kiyomi Seno, chairman of the Japan-China Society.

Seno noted that the world is undergoing a once-in-a-century geopolitical shift. "Amid this transformation, China has set its annual growth target at around 5 percent, reaffirming its strong commitment to economic expansion. Additionally, by further liberalizing its institutional frameworks and enhancing international cooperation, China is providing a sense of hope and stability to the global economy," he said.

Significant opportunities

A global survey by China Global Television Network reveals that more than 90 percent of respondents commend China's strong economic and technological capabilities and anticipate that its vast market will create significant opportunities worldwide.

"China's development is inseparable from the world, and global prosperity also depends on China," said Shen Haixiong, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and president of China Media Group.

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"In the face of global challenges, no country can tackle problems alone. Rather than operating in isolation, it is better to embrace open-source sharing; rather than decoupling and disrupting supply chains, it is wiser to foster cooperation and mutual benefit," Shen said via a video link at the dialogue.

China will continue to advance emerging industries such as commercial spaceflight and the low-altitude economy while accelerating the growth of future industries like biomanufacturing, quantum technology, and embodied intelligence, said Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao.

"This year, we remain committed to an economic growth target of around 5 percent, a goal set after a comprehensive assessment. We have the confidence, determination, and capability to achieve it," he said.

Contact the writers at jiangxueqing@chinadaily.com.cn