The joint statement released on Monday by China and the U.S., following their high-level trade meeting in Geneva last weekend, has sparked cautious optimism among Chinese businesses who say it is a clear sign of progress.
The statement outlined tariff adjustments by both countries aimed at de-escalating the trade tension between the world's two largest economies. This rapid progress has come as a welcome surprise to many.
"[People are] kind of surprised that the negotiation between the United States and China has made progress so fast. Before, we were expecting this talks to go on at least for months, but so far it seems that some very significant results have already been reached. Even though 100 percent of the issues are not necessarily resolved, it's very positive. I think the global economy, global market is going to respond to this very positively," said Hu Jie, a professor at the Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
For businesses directly impacted by the tariffs, the new agreement offers a renewed sense of hope. Shanghai-based Vector Optics had previously halted shipments to the United States, one of its key international markets, following the sweeping tariffs.
"With the new agreement placing tariffs at around 10 percent, we can continue to discuss the next steps with our U.S. clients and customers, whether to resume production or wait and see," said Shen Xusheng, founder of Shanghai-based Vector Optics.
He said there was already renewed interest from clients who had previously suspended orders.
Chinese supermarket chains, such as Yonghui Superstores, have played a key role in supporting export-oriented companies seeking to expand their domestic sales channels. Wang Ya, the store manager at Yonghui Superstores Shanghai Tangzhen branch, emphasized the company's commitment to its customers.
"No matter how the trade environment shifts, our top priority is protecting the interests of our customers. We're working closely with export-oriented manufacturers turning to the domestic market and have already engaged in talks with hundreds of suppliers. By optimizing direct sourcing and streamlining logistics, we're ensuring that shoppers continue to enjoy quality goods at competitive prices," said Wang.
Latest China-US joint statement sparks cautious optimism among businesses
The city of Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province is fast becoming the world's most dynamic hub for humanoid robotics.
Home to over 74,000 robotics firms and more than 140,000 AI professionals, Shenzhen is not only powering the city's robotics boom through its thriving innovation ecosystem but also transforming the way robots are developed from sensor-packed feet to ultra-sensitive skin.
One of the front-runners is UBtech, a leading robotics innovator headquartered in the city. Back in 2022, its humanoid robots were only capable of walking, writing calligraphy, and practicing tai chi. Today, they are deployed in dozens of smart factories, including those run by Geely, BYD, and Foxconn, handling repetitive tasks once done by humans.
This year, UBtech plans to roll out 1,000 humanoid robots across factory floors.
"Over the past 15 months, our industrial humanoid robots have progressed through three generations, with each iteration faster than the previous," said Michael Tam, chief brand officer of UBtech.
This rapid development cycle, known locally as "Shenzhen Speed," is driven by deep research and development capacity and an unparalleled supply chain.
In Nanshan District alone, dubbed Shenzhen's "Robot Valley," over 30 robotics companies operate along a 10-kilometer stretch of Liuxian Avenue.
"We can quickly find efficient solutions across the entire supply chain, all within one hour," Tam said.
Hardware innovation plays an equally critical role. At Sycsense Technology, robots are being equipped with precision sensors and LiDAR systems that enable them to handle fragile tasks, like picking strawberries without damage.
"Here, you can finalize a design by morning and get a sample by evening. This is 'Shenzhen Speed,'" said Sycsense CEO Xiong Gengchao.
The speed mentioned by Xiong is underpinned by Shenzhen's dense and mature electronics ecosystem. RoboSense, a major supplier of LiDAR technology, is located just 20 minutes away from hundreds of robotics firms it serves.
"Shenzhen's electronics ecosystem delivers twin advantages: suppliers next door slash production time by 50 percent, while daily collaboration with nearby innovators accelerates our R and D," said Xie Tiandi, marketing director of RoboSense.
The city's concentrated supply chains and R and D power have led to a surge in innovation. In 2024 alone, robotics patent filings and grants rose more than 35 percent from the previous year. The sector reached 201.2 billion yuan (about 28 billion U.S. dollars), up 12.6 percent year on year.
Shenzhen's robotics rise is the result of over a decade of investment from government funding to talent cultivation, all of which aimed at building a globally competitive, full-stack innovation ecosystem.
Today, Shenzhen produces one-third of the world's LiDAR systems. And thanks to the seamless pipeline from lab to factory, the city is sending the country's humanoid robots onto the global stage at a pace no one can match.
Shenzhen home to 74,000 robotics firms
