Two departments have issued the “15th Five-Year Plan for the Development of the Electronic Information Manufacturing Industry.”

Recently, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the National Development and Reform Commission jointly issued the “15th Five-Year Plan for the Development of the Electronic Information Manufacturing Industry” (hereinafter referred to as the “Plan”). Anchoring on the goal of basically achieving new‑type industrialization, the Plan sets forth clear development targets, including exceeding RMB 30 trillion in revenue for enterprises above designated size by 2030 and raising the industry’s R&D intensity to 3.5%. It also outlines 17 key tasks, such as strengthening foundational capabilities, enhancing whole‑machine competitiveness, and fostering new growth drivers. Today, the lighting industry has evolved from traditional luminaire manufacturing toward integrated expansion into semiconductor optoelectronics, intelligent control, and the Internet of Things. The release of this Plan provides a clear roadmap for technological upgrading, points to avenues for scenario expansion, and offers concrete policy measures for implementation.

Focusing on upstream semiconductor materials and light‑emitting chips to strengthen technological breakthroughs. The Plan assigns R&D tasks related to wide‑bandgap and ultra‑wide‑bandgap semiconductors, as well as high‑thermal‑conductivity electronic ceramic materials, laying a solid material foundation for high‑power LEDs, deep‑ultraviolet emitters, and high‑density optoelectronic modules. Lighting companies should seize this opportunity to enhance their capacity for independent and controllable upstream supply chain integration.

Concentrating on midstream packaging, testing, and electronic components to advance high‑quality development. The Plan explicitly calls for “promoting the development and application of advanced packaging and testing technologies,” with particular emphasis on micro‑LED array devices and miniaturized circuit components. For lighting firms already possessing packaging capabilities, Micro‑LED micro‑display technology, CSP chip‑level packaging, and high‑heat‑dissipation modules should become primary areas of technological upgrade. By introducing cutting‑edge equipment such as automated optical inspection (AOI) systems and advancing smart upgrades to production lines, these companies can transition from conventional lighting packaging toward innovative display and high‑end backlight applications.

Building on downstream smart terminals and multi‑scenario applications to extend the industry ecosystem. The Plan emphasizes “promoting ‘audiovisual‑friendly’ initiatives and developing eye‑ and ear‑care products,” while accelerating the intelligent evolution and interconnectedness of smart home products. It also lays out plans for “in‑vehicle intelligent computing platforms, electronic/electrical architectures, and automotive‑grade components,” as well as “advanced ubiquitous intelligent sensing terminals, 5G RedCap communication devices,” and “integrated energy‑electronics technologies spanning light, storage, end‑devices, and communications.” Lighting companies should align precisely with these strategic priorities: develop full‑spectrum health products that meet strict eye‑protection standards; integrate into mainstream open‑source smart ecosystems; leverage automotive electronics to design matrix‑style headlights and ambient in‑vehicle lighting; collaborate with urban sensing projects, using smart streetlight poles as platforms to incorporate 5G RedCap and sensing terminals, actively participating in pilot projects; and, in line with the trend toward light‑storage synergy, develop integrated “light‑storage‑charging” terminals. This will enable products to evolve from simple light‑emitting devices into comprehensive system solutions that combine sensing, dimming, and energy management, thereby expanding market opportunities both domestically and internationally.

Keeping pace with green, low‑carbon practices and improved industrial governance to enhance sustainable development capabilities. The Plan calls for “expediting the formulation of carbon‑footprint accounting standards for electronic information products and establishing a corresponding database,” while mandating “the thorough implementation of an excellence‑driven quality‑improvement initiative in manufacturing.” As domestic and international markets place increasing emphasis on low‑carbon operations and quality compliance, lighting companies must treat green manufacturing and carbon‑footprint management as critical levers. They should accelerate the establishment of a comprehensive lifecycle carbon‑footprint accounting system—covering design, procurement, production, and recycling—enhance product quality consistency and international certification compliance, and, while serving the domestic economic circulation, overcome green trade barriers and engage more actively in global competition. By elevating carbon management and quality standards, they can contribute to the new dual‑circulation development paradigm at both national and international levels.

The release of the “15th Five-Year Plan for the Development of the Electronic Information Manufacturing Industry” marks a new stage of high‑quality development for China’s electronic information sector. As an integral part of this industry, the lighting sector stands at a golden window of transformation—from large‑scale production toward strength, and from traditional manufacturing to a modern industrial system. All relevant enterprises must align with national strategic priorities, grasp the underlying trends of industrial evolution, consolidate their foundations through technological innovation, unlock industry potential via ecological integration, and achieve their own high‑quality growth within the broader context of building a new type of industrialization.

Source: China Lighting Fixture Association