On October 9, 2026, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council issued the 'Opinions on Developing New Quality Productive Forces,' outlining 19 key measures across five areas: vigorously advancing scientific and technological innovation, promoting deep integration of technological and industrial innovation, driving innovation in development models, steadily advancing institutional and mechanism innovation, and deepening innovation in talent work mechanisms. Directly relevant provisions for the metal powder and additive manufacturing industry include: cultivating and strengthening emerging industries such as new materials, high-end equipment, and aerospace; fully implementing the 'AI+' initiative; increasing the supply of innovative financial products and expanding patient capital (including the central bank's relending facility for scientific and technological innovation); building a green, low-carbon, circular development economic system; and strengthening enterprises' principal role in technological innovation and accelerating the commercialization of research outcomes. Value for powder buyers: This top-level policy framework provides systemic support for domestic powders to transition from 'technically capable' to 'confidently usable' — policy tools such as first-batch application support directly benefit volume growth and import substitution on the additive manufacturing materials side, and metal powders, as a core category of new materials, will receive more explicit policy and funding priority.