The China International Machine Tool Show (CIMT 2007), generally recognized as one of the four most prestigious international trade fairs for the machine tool industry, was recently held. More than 1100 manufacturers from 28 countries and regions displayed their new, high-technology products. Some 232,000 visitors came to appreciate the latest developments in China's machine tool industry.

"National machine tool products are more and more famous in China and the world, as more and more independent brands develop," said Wu Bailin, general secretary of the China Machine Tool and Tool Builders Association.

After several years of development, China's machine tool industry now has productive innovation ability; some enterprises have designed and produced numerical control machine tool products that are world class. An example of this is Shenyang Machine Tool Shareholding Co. Ltd., which developed a vertical machining center with an A/B spindle and a planer-type machining center. This was a breakthrough in the domestic industry, as China had long depended on imports of such machines.

According to the China Machine Tool and Tool Builders' Association, over the last five years, China's computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine tool industry has made progress in tackling key problems in scientific research and standardization. More than 100 research projects were undertaken by the industry last year.

According to the 11th Five-Year Plan, top grade CNC machines will help define the direction of development over the next five years.

China has been the biggest consumer and importer of CNC machine tools for the last five years. It is expected that roughly 100,000 CNC machine tools (at a value of between US$10 billion and US$12 billion) will be required by 2010, given the strength of market demand.

By People's Daily Online