Greater efforts are needed to promote technological innovation and increase capital input in research and development so as to accelerate the transformation and upgrading of traditional manufacturing industry, said Li Dongsheng, founder and chairman of consumer electronics maker TCL Technology Group Corp.

Noting that the high-tech manufacturing sector has become an important driver for China's economic growth, Li called for Chinese enterprises to continuously pool more resources into indigenous R&D, achieve breakthroughs in key technologies and enhance self-independent innovation capacities.

Li made the remarks at the 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, in Tianjin on Wednesday.

"China's manufacturers should transition from exporting products to exporting industrial capacities, ramping up localized operations abroad and speeding up their layouts in overseas markets, so as to cope with changes in the global economic landscape and rising trade protectionism," Li said.

Currently, TCL is ramping up efforts to strengthen its capacity in global operations, with a key focus on three core business segments covering intelligent terminals, semiconductor displays and new energy photovoltaics.

Furthermore, the company will invest more in building green factories, producing more environmentally friendly products and expanding its presence in green industries, such as the manufacturing of new energy photovoltaic materials, Li added.

[email protected]