China's humanoid robot production is expected to exceed 100,000 units this year, said Gan Xiaobin, deputy director of the science and technology department under China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
Gan made the remarks at a press conference for the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), noting that China's growing artificial intelligence (AI) applications and ecosystem are driving the rapid growth of the robot industry and providing new impetus for the country's high-quality development.
The penetration rate of AI applications among Chinese industrial enterprises above the designated scale has exceeded 30 percent. Meanwhile, China's National AI Industry Investment Fund is ramping up its operations to channel more social capital into the sector, Gan said.
Many of these innovations will be showcased during WAIC 2026, scheduled to take place in Shanghai from July 17 to 20.
Themed "AI partnership for a brighter future," WAIC 2026 will feature six main sections, ranging from forums and exhibitions to innovation incubation and talent exchange, with more than 1,100 exhibitors already registered.
More than 3,000 exhibits are expected to be on display during the conference, of which more than 300 will make their global debut.
