China's industrial robots reshape smart manufacturing

Chinese industrial robots are transforming smart manufacturing, with Siasun Robot & Automation Co., Ltd. leading the charge in automotive body welding—a sector long dominated by foreign brands. In Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, Geely’s new energy vehicle plant now uses nearly 100 Siasun robots on its main welding lines, a milestone achieved after overcoming over 1,000 technical challenges in four years of collaboration. The deployment marks a critical shift for China’s robotics industry, proving its ability to compete in high-precision manufacturing. For years, automotive welding was considered an insurmountable barrier for domestic robotics, but Siasun’s success signals China’s ascent in advanced manufacturing. The breakthrough follows a decade of systematic innovation, supported by government initiatives like the 14th Five-Year Plan and the ‘AI Plus’ initiative. China’s robotics sector has expanded rapidly, with the country producing a record 602,700 industrial robots from January to October 2025—a 28.8% year-on-year increase, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Exports of separately listed robots reached 11.32 billion yuan (1.67 billion USD) in the first quarter of 2026, a 42% surge, with shipments to 148 countries. This global recognition underscores China’s growing role in advanced manufacturing and technological expertise sharing. Experts highlight the shift as a move up the value chain, with domestic brands now capable of high-speed, high-precision tasks previously dominated by foreign competitors. The integration of AI and robotics is further accelerating smart manufacturing, positioning China as a leader in industrial automation. As technologies mature, Chinese robotics are not only reshaping domestic production but also gaining international traction, reinforcing China’s position in global smart manufacturing.