Second thoughts on industrial upgrade

Replacing low-end manufacturing with more advanced industries has been the mantra for years as China pursued a sustainable growth model.

But now, the worst global financial crisis in decades has propelled Chinese people to rethink the ongoing industrialization.

At the 2009 China Economic Forum over the weekend, economists suggested that industrial upgrade was not all about jumping into so-called high-tech or modern industries. Instead, Chinese enterprises should focus on climbing up the value chain within their own sectors.