In 2013, the construction machinery industry remained in a downturn. Affected by domestic real estate macro-control and monetary tightening policies, major manufacturers still held low expectations for industry recovery and rising returns on investment, and market demand was relatively sluggish. Both manufacturers and dealers lacked confidence. For lifting machinery, the only small peak in 2013 occurred in October; in the fourth quarter, the external investment environment was stable, while real estate and infrastructure maintained a downward trend.

　　China's construction crane industry is going through an extraordinary stage of development. While achieving rapid growth and sharp declines, the entire industry is also enduring the test of fierce international and domestic competition and the challenge of the financial crisis.

　　As a key year for implementing the objectives of the 12th Five-Year Plan, 2013 saw the national economy in an important period of strategic opportunity. Urbanization, new industrialization, and internationalization have all entered critical stages. Construction crane enterprises have begun to rationally analyze the main reasons for the industry-wide market downturn. After learning from past setbacks, they are firming up their confidence and seeking effective development paths.

　　In terms of crane-related technologies, take this year's National Science and Technology Progress Awards as an example. Zoomlion's "Key Technologies and Applications of Super-Large Tower Cranes" project was awarded the second prize of the National Science and Technology Progress Award. It is reported that the project broke through multiple technical bottlenecks of super-large tower cranes, greatly promoted the level of bridge construction in China, and formed a complete set of technologies with independent intellectual property rights, enabling large-scale production of super-large tower cranes, breaking the monopoly of foreign brands, and holding great significance for national economic construction. At the same time, Sany Heavy Industry's "Key Technologies and Applications of Large-Tonnage Crawler Cranes" also won the second prize of the National Science and Technology Progress Award.

　　From a macro perspective, in 2014, railway investment will focus on the central and western regions and intercity railways, and funding in place will gradually be ensured; total highway investment will remain low, but the western region will remain a focus of investment; nuclear power shows a warming trend and remains far from the target value, leaving greater room for investment growth in the next two years; investment opportunities in public services are emerging and deserve appropriate attention. As the domestic economic environment and downstream industries generally stabilize, the fundamentals of the construction machinery industry are expected to improve slightly in 2014, but a clear rebound will be difficult. 2014 will face an economic environment of slower growth and greater structural differentiation, and fixed investment will show a trend of being low in the early period and high in the later period.

　　In 2014, with favorable macro conditions, lifting machinery will actively pursue technological innovation and stand ready for action, and may usher in new development. China has become the world's most important construction machinery market. As the domestic market continues to become more standardized, China's cranes are bound to achieve even greater development.