Boost for industrial, supply chains

In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during the annual Central Economic Work Conference in Beijing. The ruling Communist Party has called for faster technology development to increase China's economic independence amid tension with Washington that has disrupted access to computer chips and other high-tech components. - AP

BEIJING: Building more independent and controllable industrial and supply chains will help China better cope with short-term risks amid the Covid-19 pandemic and deeply participate in the reconstruction of global supply chains for long-term benefits, experts and company executives said.

The comments came after the annual tone-setting Central Economic Work Conference, which concluded last week in Beijing, outlined key tasks for next year in eight aspects, including efforts to improve industrial and supply chains to create a more independent and controllable position.