In many critical areas of major equipment, key components are still largely controlled by foreign entities. For example, pumps and valves in nuclear power plants represent essential parts of the infrastructure and account for nearly a quarter of total equipment investment. However, due to China's limited self-sufficiency, foreign companies have been able to dominate the market, reaping significant monopoly profits. A recent report revealed that the Ling Ao Phase II nuclear power plant imported valves worth 70 million U.S. dollars, which made up less than 4% of domestic purchases.
Beyond valves, the reliance on imported key components across various sectors is even more extensive. Zhang Guobao, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, recently mentioned that during visits to domestic nuclear power companies, he encouraged the use of locally produced control systems. But as he put it simply: "Nobody dares to use the domestic ones."
Cai Weichi, vice chairman of the China Machinery Industry Federation, highlighted similar concerns during an interview, discussing the challenges in controlling key components and materials across different technical fields. He pointed out that while China’s annual production of power generation equipment has surpassed 100 million kilowatts, high-temperature and high-pressure pipes—essential for supercritical and ultra-supercritical units—are still largely imported. Although domestic production has increased significantly, the quality required for these advanced applications remains a challenge.
Even though China now produces rolling mills domestically, many electrical components and control systems are still imported. In the case of EHV and UHV transmission equipment, while domestic companies have made progress, users remain hesitant, often preferring foreign alternatives. Similarly, although transformers are manufactured locally, critical internal components like bushings in UHV transformers are still sourced from abroad.
The machine tool industry also faces bottlenecks, particularly in the development of functional parts and numerical control systems. These limitations hinder the advancement of high-end CNC machines. Cai emphasized that this issue is not isolated but spans multiple sectors, with varying degrees of development in each field.
Despite these challenges, there is cautious optimism. Cai noted that while some products are now domestically produced, they often lack independent design capabilities and core technologies. Additionally, while domestic equipment may be available, its reliability and performance metrics still lag behind foreign counterparts.
However, progress is being made. For instance, China has transitioned from importing entire supercritical units to importing only certain components like raw materials and accessories. The same applies to transformers, where domestic manufacturing has advanced, even if the share of local products remains small.
Looking ahead, Cai warned that the industry must remain vigilant. While some domestic enterprises prefer to focus on easier, more profitable projects rather than tackling complex, high-risk components like power plant forgings, this could lead to long-term issues. If demand declines, the lack of technical reserves and user confidence could create serious problems.
With global competition intensifying, especially in high-end equipment markets, the need for self-reliance is more urgent than ever. As Cai concluded, the path to full autonomy is gradual, but with persistence and strategic focus, China can move closer to achieving true technological independence.
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