The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) said Thursday that China would accelerate developing advanced manufacturing and strengthen its innovation and competitiveness.

Miao Wei, minister of the MIIT, said that the ministry would encourage innovation in key areas, strive to make breakthroughs in critical technologies and strengthen the protection of intellectual property.

"As for upgrading the traditional industry, China will persist in phasing out outdated capacity," said Miao, adding that the country would launch a new round of innovation to upgrade key technology and promote digitalization in manufacturing.

China will continue to upgrade and expand the consumption of information, and support innovation in products, including wearable devices, drones, as well as intelligent service robots, Miao said.

Miao also called for stimulating market vitality and fostering more competitive and high-quality companies.

Miao made the remarks at a national meeting on industrialization and informatization after an annual key economic meeting of China's leadership put high-quality manufacturing development high on the work agenda of 2019.