The 2025 Specialized, Sophisticated, and Innovative SME Development Conference, themed "Cultivating Excellence in Specialized SMEs," was held in Chongqing on November 12–13. The event featured multiple industry matchmaking sessions, including monthly investment roadshows, technology resource exchanges, and overseas expansion support, providing new momentum for business growth.

According to data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), China has nurtured over 600,000 technology-driven and innovative SMEs, including more than 140,000 specialized, sophisticated, and innovative SMEs and 17,600 national-level "Little Giant" enterprises.

High technological capability is a defining feature of these specialized SMEs. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, these enterprises have focused on addressing supply chain gaps and achieving breakthroughs in core technologies. Data shows that "Little Giant" firms have contributed to over 70,000 industry standards—accounting for more than 20% of the national total. Additionally, over 30% of the preliminary winners of the 2025 National Science and Technology Awards came from this group.

From advanced materials to new energy vehicles, integrated circuits to AI, and deep-sea and aerospace technologies, SMEs continue to drive innovation. In 2024, independent R&D accounted for 75.3% of valid invention patents among SMEs, with "Little Giant" enterprises averaging 26.6 patents each and an annual R&D investment exceeding RMB 30 million.

Over 60% of "Little Giants" operate in foundational industrial sectors, while nearly 80% are embedded in key supply chains. About 90% directly supply at least three major domestic or international corporations. Nearly 6,000 such firms specialize in quantum technology, AI, and low-altitude economy, reinforcing supply chain resilience.

For instance, Beijing Tesdi Semiconductor Equipment Co., a "Little Giant," has broken foreign monopolies in semiconductor thinning and polishing (CMP) equipment. With over 200 proprietary patents, the company has achieved large-scale production in compound semiconductors, securing a leading market position.

At the concurrent SME innovation exhibition, breakthroughs abounded: Chongqing Zhongke Yaoluchuan developed a fully localized LiDAR camera solving multi-sensor data fusion, while Chongqing Hanlang Precision Technology invested RMB 120 million to master high-end LCoS optical chips, filling a domestic precision manufacturing gap. Over 6,000 "Little Giants" exemplify cutting-edge productivity.

The November 13 tech resource matchmaking emphasized "shared resources and collaborative innovation," creating a government-guided platform to channel R&D resources to businesses and accelerate commercialization. The China SME Development Center showcased a "three-dimensional resource matrix" including 700+ shared instruments, 40+ core tech services, 20+ expert teams, and 300+ university research outcomes across 12 key fields like biopharma and AI.

To deepen tech-industry integration, the event previewed a December-launched "Convergence Innovation" portal on the China SME Service Network. This digital platform offers systematic solutions via four core functions, five specialized services, and two achievement galleries to overcome innovation silos.

MIIT also unveiled a national SME digital transformation platform, providing 50 industry-specific case studies to guide SMEs at varying digital maturity levels. The conference released 238 AI application scenarios for SMEs, spanning process optimization and smart product development to empower specialized growth.

With expanding tech resource integration and the upcoming innovation portal, more high-quality resources will flow to SMEs, helping "Little Giants" overcome bottlenecks and fuel high-quality economic development through advanced productivity.