Reference News Network August 12 report: According to the website of Hong Kong's South China Morning Post, new data shows that China withstood the decline in global industrial robot installations last year.

According to preliminary data from the International Federation of Robotics, global industrial robot installations dropped to about 520,000 units in 2024.

The report said that installation volumes in major global industrial robot markets generally declined, with Japan falling 7% to 43,000 units, the United States falling 9% to 34,000 units, and the European Union falling 6% to 86,000 units.

However, China's installations increased by 5%, reaching approximately 290,000 units, accounting for 54% of the global total, compared to 51% in 2023.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that in the first half of this year, China's industrial robot production increased by 35.6% year-on-year.

The report pointed out that in recent years, China has been intensifying its efforts to upgrade its manufacturing chain by promoting automation, which is part of a broader strategy to shift from labor-intensive growth models to technology-driven growth models.

According to the chairman of the International Federation of Robotics, Ito Takayuki, the adoption of industrial robots is expanding beyond traditional mainstays such as the electronics and automotive industries.

Despite the disruptions caused by geopolitical uncertainties and tariff issues, Ito Takayuki said that the growth prospects for industrial robots in Asia remain positive, and China's continued economic expansion is expected to promote robot installations.

He said, "It is expected that the next five-year plan will continue to promote modernization and enhance economic resilience. This will increase the demand for robots because it aims to improve new capacity across various industries."

He said, "China will still be the main market for industrial robots."

Another report from the website of Singapore's Straits Times on August 10 noted that the reorganization of global supply chains has led to the emergence of numerous new factories in Southeast Asia and other regions, and 'Made in China' robots providing manpower and logistics services for production lines have also emerged.

The report said that since the pandemic, the shipment of industrial robots from China (including those produced by foreign manufacturers in China) has grown annually, with export revenue reaching $1.13 billion in 2024.

According to data from the General Administration of Customs of China, in the first half of 2025, China's industrial robot exports reached $746 million, an increase of nearly 60% year-on-year.

The report stated that factors such as tense trade relations, rising costs, and the pursuit of supply chain resilience have prompted both Chinese and foreign companies to seek production diversification.

Su Lianjie, an analyst at Omdia, said that the transfer of supply chains presents an opportunity for Chinese industrial robot manufacturers. He said, "If a Chinese company expands overseas, they will also bring (industrial robots) to local suppliers."

Chang Li, vice president of Shanghai Jieka Robot Co., Ltd., said that as more industries enter Southeast Asia, the demand for new capacity continues to grow, and her company has gained "a huge market opportunity."

Su Lianjie said that the international market for industrial robots is still dominated by Japanese and European companies, but Chinese robot manufacturers are gradually gaining a larger market share due to competitive pricing.

The report said that companies producing manufacturing robots and their components in China are emerging like mushrooms after rain. Data cited by official media shows that there are currently more than 930,000 robot-related enterprises in China.

The report pointed out that China itself is the world's largest industrial robot market, and fierce domestic competition has also driven Chinese robot manufacturers to enter overseas markets. (Translated by Liu Xiaoyan)

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7537541520086286857/

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