China currently operates over two million factory robots, a figure that surpasses the combined total of industrial robots employed throughout the rest of the world. According to the International Federation of Robotics, Chinese factories installed nearly 300,000 new robots in 2024 alone, while the United States added just 34,000 in the same year. This stark contrast highlights China’s unmatched lead in automating its manufacturing sector.
Robots revolutionising Chinese factories
From robotic claws lifting heavy boxes onto conveyor belts to automated machines welding car parts, China’s manufacturing landscape is being transformed. Increasingly, these robots are integrated with artificial intelligence systems that track performance, optimise efficiency, and reduce downtime. Some factories have cut their reliance on human labour, while others are redesigning employee roles to work alongside automation.
State-driven push for robotics
Beijing’s strong industrial policy has been a driving force behind this transformation. Through subsidies, low-interest loans, and government directives, China has systematically encouraged factories to adopt robotics. The “Made in China 2025” strategy, launched in 2015, explicitly identified robotics as a critical sector to reduce dependence on foreign technology. By 2021, a comprehensive national plan for robot deployment was in place, and since 2017, Chinese factories have installed more than 150,000 robots every year, solidifying the country’s dominance.
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From importer to global supplier
China’s robotics boom has also reshaped its position in the global supply chain. While most robots in Chinese factories were once imported, by 2024 nearly 60 per cent of them were made domestically. The country’s share of the global robot manufacturing market has now risen to one-third, surpassing Japan, which historically dominated the industry.
Skilled workforce powering automation
A major advantage for China lies in its large base of skilled electricians, engineers, and programmers who are essential for installing and maintaining robots. However, demand for specialists is outpacing supply, driving annual salaries for installation experts close to $60,000—remarkably high by Chinese industrial standards. This trend shows that while robots reduce manual labour, they also create a surge in high-skill technical roles.
Rise of humanoid robots
Alongside factory automation, China is nurturing a fast-growing ecosystem for humanoid robots. Companies like Unitree Robotics in Hangzhou are building affordable humanoid models at a fraction of the cost charged by US competitors such as Boston Dynamics. While China still depends on imports for advanced components like high-end sensors and semiconductors, state backing has fostered rapid innovation and commercialisation in this space.
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AI integration boosting efficiency
China’s growing artificial intelligence industry is giving its factories an added edge. AI systems are increasingly deployed to monitor robot performance, detect inefficiencies, and predict maintenance needs. This fusion of robotics and AI is creating adaptive, self-optimising manufacturing environments. Unlike other countries that primarily apply AI in consumer-facing products, China is channelling it directly into industrial production, amplifying its manufacturing advantage.
A global power shift in manufacturing
China’s robotics expansion is not just about technology adoption—it marks a fundamental shift in global industry. Nations like Japan, Germany, and South Korea, once leaders in factory automation, are now seeing slower growth. Meanwhile, China’s scale, government-led strategy, and growing domestic production capacity are reshaping global supply chains. The country has moved from being the world’s manufacturing hub to also becoming the largest supplier of the machines that drive manufacturing itself.
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China’s achievement of surpassing two million operating factory robots is no accident. It reflects state support, targeted industrial policy, and a rapidly advancing domestic robotics sector. As robotics and AI continue to redefine global manufacturing, China has positioned itself not just as a competitor but as the dominant force shaping the future of industry.
