Advancements herald future shared with robots: China Daily editorial

The four-day 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games — the world's first comprehensive event featuring humanoid robots as the main participants — starts in Beijing on Thursday under the slogan "racing towards a shared intelligent future". More than 500 humanoids from 16 countries will compete in 538 events, which include not only track and field events, gymnastics and soccer, but also individual and group dances and scenario-based activities featuring material handling and sorting, as well as cleaning service skills. The Games, which showcase the highest level of human technological prowess in robotics, aim to help accelerate the integration of humanoid robots into human life.

The event takes place just two days after the conclusion of the 2025 World Robot Conference in the Chinese capital, which already showcased the extraordinary advancements in robotics achieved in China and other countries. The hosting of such high-profile robot-related events underscores the country's position as a global front-runner in robotics.

China has been the world's largest industrial robot application market for 12 consecutive years — with its share of the world's newly installed robots increasing from 51 percent in 2023 to 54 percent in 2024. In the first half of this year, industrial robot production in China reached 370,000 units while service robot output hit 8.82 million units, representing a year-on-year increase of 35.6 percent and 25.5 percent, respectively.

The remarkable progress China has made in the sector can be attributed to many factors such as supportive government policies and its robust manufacturing infrastructure and complete supply chains that provide a strong foundation for the rapid production and deployment of robots. Moreover, China boasts the world's largest pool of graduates in computer science and artificial intelligence, and its large domestic market enables developers to conduct extensive real-world testing and iteration, resulting in the continuous improvement of robotic technologies and economies of scale in this transformative industry.

There is great potential for robots to integrate into various sectors and revolutionize how we live and work, from healthcare and elderly care to industrial applications, to farming and disaster relief. For example, Hangzhou-based Unitree Robotics has solved a world-class problem in robotics — the grasping of flexible objects. Based on the technology, tasks such as hair cutting, massages, serving tea, and close-contact interactions such as feeding become possible. Once this technology is widely applied, the massive service robot market worth trillions of yuan is essentially unlocked.

Yet as nations look toward a future shaped by robotic innovation, they also face many challenges in robotics development. For example, the lack of standardized regulations complicates international collaboration and market access, and there are worries about automation threatening jobs in labor-intensive sectors. Additionally, ethical concerns arise with AI integration, especially regarding privacy and surveillance. All this requires international collaboration, so that nations can work jointly to harness the transformative technologies and make sure that the deployment of robots aligns with shared values and benefits the whole of humanity.

The leading position that China holds in robotics presents an opportunity for the country to spearhead global efforts aimed at addressing some of the most pressing issues the world is facing, such as aging populations and labor shortages. By positioning robots as cooperative partners, China can demonstrate how technology can enhance human capabilities and improve people's quality of life. The country's experience in deploying robots at scale and iterating rapidly through real-world applications provides valuable insights that can benefit other nations.

The future of robotics is bright, with the potential to reshape industries and improve lives worldwide. As China continues to lead in this sector, the spirit of collaboration and shared progress must guide the way forward. By working together, nations can unlock the full potential of robotics, creating a future where technology serves as a force for good, driving economic growth and fostering a more connected world.