Chinese robotics firms are significantly increasing their global footprint, with Made-in-China intelligent service robots now being deployed worldwide in food delivery, manufacturing, healthcare, and smart homes.
Leading the global market in commercial service robots with a 23 percent market share is the Pudu Robotics, which saw its 100,000th robot roll off the production line on Tuesday. At its production base in Shenzhen City, a major tech hub in south China, the company prepares robots for international shipment.
Pudu's cat-shaped food-delivery robot has entered more than 60 countries and regions and gained a strong overseas customer base.
"For example, this batch of robots are ready to be transported from our finished-goods warehouse to customers in Japan and Europe. They're now being shipped to a port in Shanghai," said Guo Cong, CTO of Pudu Robotics.
In the first quarter of this year, the company's export orders surged by 300 percent year on year. Guo attributed the growth to rapid product iteration driven by customer-focused research and development.
"Our overseas markets account for 80 to 90 percent of our revenue, with Europe, Japan and South Korea being the largest. We drive product iterations with technology to meet diverse industry needs, creating a virtuous cycle of technology, products and sales. Additionally, we're customer-centric, identifying unique demands in target markets, which in turn spurs us to explore new technology. This approach helps us go global quickly and enhances our competitiveness," he said.
The evolution of robots is accelerating. Recently, Pudu released a service robot that is equipped with robotic arms and a dexterous hand that is capable of performing complex actions like pressing elevator buttons and serving dishes.
"It took four years for our first robot to go from design to mass production. Now, it takes around six months. This progress is due to better technology, improved manufacturing quality and faster production processes. The localization rate of the upstream supply chain has exceeded 95 percent, and we now hold over 1,600 patents," said the executive.
According to a white paper by Deloitte China and Pudu Robotics, the global service robot market is set to hit 195 billion U.S. dollars by 2035.
China's soaring commercial service robot industry leads global market
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
