China needs decade to cultivate independent auto industry

Beijing (CNS) -- China is slated for a boom in its auto industry in the next decade, putting great emphasis on improving its independent domestic research and development (R&D) capability.

On top of the ambitious agenda is a talent hunt, admitted an expert at the Society of Automotive Engineers of China. Talent hunting is of great importance to the largest auto producer and new car consumer, who still lags far behind developed countries in technology developing.

He illustrated China's strengths and weaknesses with respect to that goal. Sufficient original capital and huge market demands have paved the way for industry vitalization, yet lack of highly-skilled talents, and thus the incapability to develop core auto hi-tech on its own, could be fatal to achieving this ambition.

As a solution, the cultivation of a domestic auto culture could be counted on to breed and sustain generations of leaders, engineers and skilled workers. Mature approaches to educating human capital is what will ultimately ensure the prosperity of the auto industry.

The ministries of Science and Technology and Industry and Information Technology have collaborated with the China Association for Science and Technology to hold nationwide contests encouraging college students to try their hand at innovative auto design and production.