2026 World Manufacturing Convention opens in Anhui

The 2026 World Manufacturing Convention opened in Hefei City, east China's Anhui Province, on Sunday, attracting distinguished guests and professional visitors from over 50 countries and regions.

Running for four days, the event highlights emerging industries such as intelligent connected new energy vehicles, next-generation information technology, and artificial intelligence. It also focuses on future industries, including quantum technology, embodied intelligence, and biomanufacturing. Key reports, including the "Annual Report on Industrial Foundation Development (2025–2026)" and the "Manufacturing Digital-Intelligent Transformation Capability Level (2026)," will be released at the convention.

Exhibits include multiple intelligent devices designed for high-risk power scenarios. One standout is a hexapod inspection robot designed for autonomous hazard detection, intelligent assessment, and collaborative operation.

Another bright yellow hexapod robot boasts high recognition rates in hazardous power environments. Equipped with LiDAR, visual cameras, and infrared sensors, it can detect potential faults involving gas, liquids, and sound. The robot connects to the Guangming Power AI Model via 5G quantum-encrypted communication, allowing for rapid data transmission and real-time recommendations based on detected faults. It can operate independently or in coordinated teams, significantly enhancing operational efficiency.

A power line inspection drone utilizing thermal imaging technology is also on display, capable of detecting hidden hazards such as overheating equipment.

Additionally, an electric logistics drone showcased at the event is designed to carry a payload of 50 kilograms. It features two types of wings: a fixed wing with a five-meter span for high-speed flight at 120 kilometers per hour and six rotor blades for vertical takeoff and landing without the need for a runway. This versatile drone can be utilized in geological exploration, security inspections, medical rescues, and logistics distribution.

2026 World Manufacturing Convention opens in Anhui

The United States has warned its allies that deliveries of key weapons could be delayed by up to five years due to depleted ammunition stocks, Bloomberg reported on Saturday.

The report says that Germany has asked the U.S. to expedite deliveries of Tomahawk cruise missiles and Typhon missile systems, but U.S. stocks of these weapons have been depleted, and manufacturers are unlikely to fulfill the relevant orders within the next five years.

It cited U.S. officials as saying that following the U.S.-Israeli military strikes against Iran in February of this year, U.S. weapons deliveries to some Eastern European countries had already been delayed. The Pentagon did not respond to media requests for comment.

The report noted that it is estimated the U.S. used more than half of its Patriot missiles, a third of its Tomahawk missiles and nearly half of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors during the conflict with Iran.

The U.S. Congressional Budget Office released a report this month stating that since June 2025, the U.S. stockpile of interceptor missiles has been depleted by a half to two thirds and even with increased production, it would take at least five years to replenish the stockpile, according to Bloomberg.

US warns allies of weapons delivery delay: report