BEIJING - Smart manufacturing has made Chinese companies more efficient, a senior official said Friday.

Firms that use smart technology have seen production efficiency rise at least 30 percent and operating costs fall about 20 percent, said Xin Guobin, vice minister of industry and information technology, during a teleconference.

The ministry selected 206 pilot projects in smart manufacturing over the past three years in 30 provincial-level regions.

Carmaker Foton in Beijing recorded a 30 percent reduction in product research and development time after integrating its manufacturing process with the internet, said Gong Yueqiong, general manager of the company.

China is upgrading its manufacturing sector to improve competitiveness and create new growth momentum.