Chinese carmakers are accelerating their move into the robotics industry as they seek new revenue streams and look to apply supply-chain strengths to emerging new quality productive forces.
In the southern city of Guangzhou, a humanoid robot developed by state-owned Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) has quietly joined the staff at Huangcun subway station, guiding commuters and helping with security checks as part of the city's trial of intelligent service robots.
Zhang Aimin, head of the GAC's humanoid robot development team, said the company views robotics as a natural extension of its shift to advanced manufacturing.
"Humanoid robots represent the future of sci-tech development and are a typical example of new quality productive forces. We hope GAC's humanoid robots can enter people's homes and help create a better life for people," Zhang said.
First introduced in 2023, the term new quality productive forces refers to advanced productivity that moves beyond traditional growth models. It emphasizes high-tech, high-efficiency and high-quality development and aligns with China's broader push for innovation-driven growth.
Automakers in Guangdong Province -- one of China's largest manufacturing hubs -- are stepping up efforts in robotics as the boundaries between transportation, automation and artificial intelligence continue to blur.
Earlier in November, XPeng, a major private electric-vehicle maker, unveiled the second generation of its Iron humanoid robot. Powered by three Turing AI chips and 62 active joints, the robot can walk, speak and perform daily tasks with human-like precision, drawing widespread attention online.
"Over the next decade, many companies in China's auto industry will move into physical AI and position themselves as global players in embodied intelligence," XPeng Chairman He Xiaopeng said.
Industry officials say humanoid robots are still in early-stage development and are calling for coordinated, well-planned investment as the sector evolves.
Song Xiaogang, secretary-general of the China Machinery Industry Federation's robotics branch, said companies should carry out thorough feasibility studies "to avoid repetitive investment and wasting resources" as more firms enter the industry.
China's automakers move into robotics for new growth
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that mediation efforts of the Pakistani side regarding the Middle East tensions are in the common interests of all parties.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in his talks with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing.
During their talks, the two sides exchanged views on current international issues and regional conflicts.
Wang welcomed the visit of the Pakistani side to Beijing for discussion on easing tensions in the Middle East, just after its holding of a quadrilateral foreign ministers' meeting in Islamabad.
He said China supports and looks forward to Pakistan playing a unique and important role in easing the situation and resuming peace talks. This process is no easy task, and Pakistan's mediation efforts are in line with the common interests of all parties, Wang added.
He noted China is willing to make joint efforts with Pakistan to end the hostilities as soon as possible, create opportunities for peace and open the window for peace talks.
On bilateral ties, Wang said this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, calling on both sides to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and constantly advance the building of a China-Pakistan community with a shared future.
For his part, Dar said the Pakistan-China friendship is precious and deeply rooted in people's hearts, adding that Pakistan is willing to work with China to promote the continuous development of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.
Dar thanked China for supporting Pakistan's mediation of the situation in Iran, adding that the current conflict has disrupted international energy supplies and caused heavy damage to developing countries.
Noting that solutions can only be found through negotiation, Dar said Pakistan is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to push all parties to start peace talks as soon as possible and restore regional peace.
The two sides also put forward a five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East region:
I. Immediate cessation of hostilities: China and Pakistan call for immediate cessation of hostilities and utmost efforts to prevent the conflict from spreading. Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to all war-affected areas.
II. Start of peace talks as soon as possible. Sovereignty, territorial integrity, national independence and security of Iran and the Gulf states should be safeguarded. Dialogue and diplomacy is the only viable option to resolve conflicts. China and Pakistan support the relevant parties in initiating talks, with all parties committing to peaceful resolution of disputes, and refraining from the use or the threat of use of force during peace talks.
III. Security of nonmilitary targets. The principle of protecting civilians in military conflict should be observed. China and Pakistan call on parties to the conflict to immediately stop attacks on civilians and nonmilitary targets, and fully adhere to International Humanitarian Law, and stop attacking important infrastructure, including energy, desalination and power facilities, and peaceful nuclear infrastructure, such as nuclear power plants.
IV. Security of shipping lanes. The Strait of Hormuz, together with its adjacent waters, is an important global shipping route for goods and energy. China and Pakistan call on the parties to protect the security of ships and crew members stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, allow the early and safe passage of civilian and commercial ships, and restore normal passage through the Strait as soon as possible.
V. Primacy of the United Nations Charter. China and Pakistan call for efforts to practice true multilateralism, to jointly strengthen the primacy of the United Nations, and to support the conclusion of an agreement for establishing a comprehensive peace framework and realizing lasting peace based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law.
Pakistan's mediation efforts in common interests of all parties: Chinese FM
