Chinese credit rating agency Dagong Global and the Belt and Road research institute under the Tsinghua University on Monday released a report on evaluating investment environments in Latin American and Caribbean countries.
The report came one day before the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum in the Chinese capital city.
The report offers national investment environment evaluations for Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Peru.
It highlights regional investment trends, offering targeted decision-making guidance for Chinese firms venturing abroad to drive high-quality growth of China-CELAC economic and trade cooperation, according to officials from the organizing institutes.
"Chinese companies need to adopt a gradient and differentiated strategy when investing in various regions. They can also learn from the development zone model, form an industrial cluster effect through local employment and industrial chain matching, and reduce corporate operating costs. They should also strengthen risk prevention mechanisms and systemic risks management. Chinese companies should enhance communication with local government chambers of commerce and communities, predict policy fluctuations, improve dynamic monitoring mechanisms, and promote cultural and economic exchanges through people-to-people connectivity. For example, they can make a use of local characteristic cultural labels such as Brazilian coffee and Chilean cherries to empower China-CELAC economic and trade cooperation to further promote trade growth and cultural exchanges," said Lyv Bole, chairman of Dagong Global Credit Rating.
"Latin America holds significant investment potential for China, its large youth population creates a substantial consumer market. The region's rich natural resources, such as lithium, copper, and iron ore, complement China's technological capabilities. Latin American countries are also pursuing energy transitions, offering opportunities for companies like BYD to drive the new energy industry. Additionally, the region's well-developed legal system and high-quality workforce are strong draws for Chinese investment," said Shi Zhiqin, executive dean of the Belt and Road Initiative Strategy Institiue at the Tsinghua University.
China's rating agency, top university release investment report on CELAC countries
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
