China remains largest industrial robotics application market for 12th consecutive year

China has maintained its position as the world's largest industrial robotics application market for 12 consecutive years, becoming the top global robotics manufacturer, according to the opening ceremony of the 2025 World Robot Conference in Beijing on Friday.

Except such leapfrog development, China's dual drivers of industrial scale and technological innovation have gained significant momentum, with robotics industry's revenue increased by 27.8 percent year on year in the first half of 2025.

From the perspective of industrial scale, the industrial robot production of China surged from 33,000 units in 2015 to 556,000 units in 2023. Service robot output reached over 10 million units, marking a 34.3-percent year-on-year growth.

From the perspective of technological innovation, China holds over 190,000 valid robotics patents as of July 2024, accounting for approximately two-thirds of the global total. Despite technological challenges, robotics integration with cutting-edge technologies is accelerating new frontiers. Deep convergence with AI, digital twins, and biomimetics is expanding robotics' penetration into work and life.

However, fundamental research bottlenecks persist in robotics fields including multimodal perception, intelligent computing, motion control, human-robot interaction, autonomous decision-making, and high-performance components. To solve the problems, foundations must be consolidated by strengthening basic research to underpin technological innovation.

"Robotics is rapidly converging with artificial intelligence profoundly reshaping modern industrial pathways and driving significant leaps in progress. The evolution of robotics in ways that uplift communities, respect the environment and promote common prosperity. We must ensure that robotics innovation not only enhances national competitiveness but also contributes to global equity and sustainable development,"said Zou Ciyong, deputy to the director general of United Nations Industrial Development Organization.

China remains largest industrial robotics application market for 12th consecutive year

China remains largest industrial robotics application market for 12th consecutive year

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that Iran has obtained extensive documents and evidence linking the recent unrest across the country to the U.S. and Israel, noting that Mossad agents attempted to direct such "terrorist acts."

Araghchi said at a press conference in Tehran that since Dec 28, 2025, Iran had seen peaceful demonstrations organized by industry associations and economic professional. In the following days, more participants joined, and the situation gradually escalated from peaceful rallies into violent clashes.

Beginning on Jan 8, terrorists and armed groups carrying weapons entered protest sites and opened fire on police and civilians, with the aim of steering demonstrations toward violence, bloodshed and chaos, he said.

"Israeli media reports are rife with claims that Israel has designed and conducted operations in Iran. Mr. [Mike] Pompeo, who was Trump's CIA director, said on his X that 'Happy New Year to every Iranian in the streets. Also to every Mossad agent walking beside them.' This clearly shows that Mossad agents attempted to direct such terrorist acts," the minister said. Addressing military threats from the U.S. and Israel, Araghchi said Iran does not seek war but is fully prepared to face up to war. He added that Iran is ready for serious and pragmatic negotiations with the U.S., but the talks must be based on fairness, equality and mutual respect, rather than unilateral pressure or directives from Washington.

On the same day, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the U.S. and Israel at a regular press briefing in Tehran. He said the two countries have made "extensive interventionist remarks" regarding Iran's situation, saying such statements are intended to foment chaos, violence and instability.

The spokesman said Iran is closely monitoring the development of the situation and remains fully prepared, warning that Iran's armed forces will respond to any act of aggression by its enemies.

Mossad agents attempt to direct terrorist acts: Iranian FM