China to upgrade robot industry in next few years

BEIJING - China is poised to elevate the domestic robotics industry, according to a senior official.

More than 800 enterprises that provide products and services spanning electronics, machinery, chemicals and medical services have already laid sound foundations for the upgrade, said Xin Guobin, deputy head with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

China produced 72,400 industrial robots in 2016, up 34.3 percent year on year. Sales are expected to exceed 50 billion yuan (about $7.26 billion) in 2020, according to industry insiders.

Xin said the ministry will further integrate new technology, support the recruitment of talent, increase the quality and credibility of key machine components, and support the use of robots in emerging industries.

The ministry will expedite related regulations and industry organizations will offer guidance to local authorities, all in accordance with the "Made in China 2025" plan.

The ministry will also set the criteria for market entry and consummate the evaluation system for robotics, to boost industrial development, according to the vice minister.

The "Made in China 2025" blueprint was announced in May 2015 as a way to move manufacturing up in the value chain, promoting development in 10 key sectors including robotics.