In the first half of 2025, Zhejiang province boasted a GDP of 4.5 trillion yuan, leading the nation's major economic provinces with a robust growth rate of 5.8%. This impressive performance underscores the pivotal role played by its industrial engines. In an interview with ECNS, Zhan Min, secretary and director of the Party Leadership Group of the Zhejiang Provincial Economic and Information Technology Department, highlighted, "From the perspective of above-scale industries, the added value increased by 7.6%. In terms of supporting industries, high-tech manufacturing, equipment manufacturing, and core digital economy manufacturing witnessed growth rates of 12.7%, 11.1%, and 12.0%, respectively."

The bedrock of this success lies in Zhejiang's innovative '415X' advanced manufacturing cluster system and its differentiated regional industrial layouts. According to Zhan Min, "In terms of industrial clusters, revenue amounted to 4.5 trillion yuan, with eight clusters achieving double-digit revenue growth and another eight clusters enjoying double-digit profit growth."

01

'415X' Industrial Cluster System

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Zhejiang has been at the forefront of fostering the '415X' advanced manufacturing cluster program, aiming to establish four world-class advanced manufacturing clusters, fifteen advantageous manufacturing clusters, and several high-growth, hundred-billion-yuan 'new star' industrial clusters.

Table: Zhejiang's '415X' Advanced Manufacturing Clusters

Source: Flintstone Creation based on public information

From a hierarchical standpoint, the four key clusters focusing on new-generation information technology, high-end equipment, green petrochemicals and new materials, as well as modern consumption and health, are vital for Zhejiang's global competitiveness. The fifteen characteristic clusters, such as digital security, smart photovoltaics, and modern textiles, serve as critical supports for trillion-yuan industrial clusters and embody Zhejiang's industrial strengths in niche fields. The 'X' new star clusters, encompassing artificial intelligence and genetic engineering, represent the reserve forces of these characteristic clusters.

In 2024, Zhejiang's '415X' advanced manufacturing clusters generated above-scale revenue of 9.19 trillion yuan, accounting for 78.3% of the province's total above-scale industrial revenue.

02

Cultivation of Characteristic Industrial Clusters

To achieve high-quality industrial cluster development, it is imperative to leverage 'advantage cards' and emphasize 'characteristics'. To guide regions in harnessing their strengths and finding the right path, Zhejiang has established core and collaborative zones for characteristic industrial clusters. Currently, the number of such zones at the provincial level has risen to 108, comprising 41 core zones and 67 collaborative zones.

Table: Core and Collaborative Zones for Zhejiang Provincial-Level Characteristic Industrial Clusters (Partial)

Source: Flintstone Creation Industry Data Center

Taking the new energy vehicle and components cluster as an illustration, it is one of the fifteen key characteristic industrial clusters being nurtured. This cluster boasts two core zones in Qiantang District, Hangzhou, and Qianwan New Area, Ningbo, along with 13 collaborative zones spanning Changxing County, Tongxiang City, Jinhua Economic and Technological Development Zone, among others. Thanks to this provincial gradient layout and collaborative linkage structure, the cluster's revenue surpassed one trillion yuan for the first time in 2024, becoming the fifth trillion-yuan cluster after green petrochemicals, modern textiles and clothing, high-end software, and smart IoT.

Moreover, Zhejiang has coordinated the cultivation of 'new star' industrial clusters and characteristic industrial clusters of small and medium-sized enterprises. To date, 37 'new star' industrial clusters and 41 characteristic industrial clusters of small and medium-sized enterprises have been established. These rapidly growing industries have effectively bolstered the construction of Zhejiang's '415X' advanced manufacturing clusters.

03

Distribution of Key Agglomeration Areas

As of 2024, Zhejiang has forged an industrial platform system anchored by 22 national economic and technological development zones and 8 national high-tech industrial development zones, complemented by numerous provincial-level development zones. These zones lead the nation in terms of scale and innovation capabilities, serving as the agglomeration hubs for industries across the province.

Figure: Distribution of Development Zones in Zhejiang Province (Partial)

Source: Flintstone Creation Industry Data Center

In summary, the development of Zhejiang's characteristic industries exemplifies the strategy of 'trillion-yuan clusters laying the foundation and characteristic racetracks breaking through', charting a clear path for high-quality industrial development. As clusters like smart IoT, modern textiles, and industrial mother machines strive for world-class status, the '415X' system will further accelerate the fission of new productive forces, propelling industrial progress.