China will remain a strategic anchor for ABB Group, evolving from a key market into a major hub for advanced manufacturing and innovation, as the country accelerates its shift toward green and technology-driven growth, said the company's top executive.

Morten Wierod, CEO of the Swiss tech company, said ABB sees strong alignment between its strategic priorities and China's development goals under the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–30), particularly in areas such as electrification, automation, artificial intelligence and smart manufacturing.

"China's long-term development plans resonate well with what we do at ABB. Electrification and automation are global trends, and the nation is at the forefront of these transformations," Wierod said in an interview on the sidelines of the China Development Forum 2026 in Beijing.

As China accelerates its transition toward green development, he said ABB will continue to invest and deepen cooperation with local partners, as well as leverage its technological capabilities to support industries in improving both efficiency and sustainability.

According to the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan for national economic and social development, China will promote green and low-carbon growth, upgrade traditional sectors to the mid-to-high end of the value chain, nurture emerging industries and make forward-looking plans for industries of the future.

Wierod said electrification would be central to decarbonization, driven by expanding renewable energy and more efficient electricity use through automation and digital technologies, stressing that a reliable power supply is essential for advanced manufacturing.

In terms of industrial opportunities, ABB sees significant potential in sectors undergoing structural transformation, such as steel, where production processes are shifting from coal-based methods to electric arc furnaces and the use of green hydrogen.

For example, ABB has provided Qingdao Special Iron and Steel Co Ltd in Qingdao, Shandong province, with an intelligent manufacturing solution integrating digital technologies, data analytics and safety systems, enabling real-time data monitoring and centralized control, while AI helps predict failures, optimize energy use and reduce costs.

The project is part of ABB's broader push in China, its second-largest market globally, employing more than 14,000 people and increasingly developing solutions for both domestic and global markets.

"We see China not only as a strong market for our products, but also as an innovation hub where we develop new solutions that can be applied both domestically and internationally," said Wierod, adding that he plans to return to China in May with the company's board members to visit key operations and engage with customers and policymakers.

More than 85 percent of ABB's products sold in China today are manufactured locally, supported by a strong domestic supply chain and an R&D team of over 2,000 engineers, while about a quarter of its China-based output is exported to overseas markets, including Southeast Asia, Europe and South America.

Chen Jianwei, a researcher at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said China's drive to advance reform and development through higher-level opening-up will unlock fresh momentum for multinational companies and trading partners.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, foreign investment from Canada, Switzerland and France in China rose by 210 percent, 41.3 percent and 3 percent year-on-year, respectively, in the first two months of 2026.