China accounts for 97 percent of global robot shipments in H1

Photo released on August 9, 2026 shows tourists from Jamaica interacting with a humanoid robot at the world’s first robot 6S store in Longgang District, Shenzhen, South China’s Guangdong Province, on August 4. Photo: Xinhua

CHINA’S cutting-edge industrial upgrade witnessed two major landmarks on Monday, marking the country’s full-fledged global lead in humanoid robotics and further solidifying the rise of its “new new three” strategic sectors — robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and innovative medicine.

Industry data showed that Chinese vendors accounted for more than 97 percent of global humanoid robot shipments in the first half (H1) of 2026. Additionally, Chinese robotics firm Unitree Robotics began its share subscription process for its listing on Shanghai’s stock market, becoming the first humanoid robot A-share stock.

The global humanoid robot shipments reached approximately 19,100 units in the first half of the year, surging 272 percent year on year. The market saw a leadership shift, with Chinese robotic company Agibot overtaking Unitree to become the world’s largest humanoid robot vendor.

The breakthroughs in humanoid robotics represent the latest landmark of China’s booming “new new three” industries, which are emerging as core pillars driving the country’s high-end manufacturing upgrade, export expansion and future economic growth.

Driving forces

The rapid and comprehensive rise of China’s robotic sector stems not merely from policy incentives, but from integrated advantages in complete manufacturing chains, forward-looking institutional arrangements and massive real-world application scenarios, industry analysts noted.

“The answer lies not in mere policy slogans, but in the synergies rooted in its manufacturing base, early institutional frameworks and vast application scenarios. These factors have driven the ‘new new three’ industries onto the global stage,” Zhang Xiaorong, director of the Cutting-Edge Technology Research Institute, told the Global Times on Monday.

A robust supply chain has been decisive. The localization rates across China’s robot industry chain have risen markedly in 2026, with core components shifting to domestic control.

Institutional analysis noted that the domestic production rate of Unitree Robotics’ supply chain reaches 90 percent, while all core components are fully self-developed.

Zhang also said the large domestic market serves as a unique testing ground.

“Strong robot exports reflect advances in complete machine design, system integration, scenario algorithms, rapid delivery and cost control, alongside continued localization of reducers, servo systems and sensors. Large-scale applications in new energy vehicles, electronics manufacturing and warehousing provide frequent iteration and engineering validation,” said Zhang.

Institutional foresight also played a role. Robot manufacturing was first listed as an independent industry in the national standard for industry classification in October 2017, with sub-categories including “industrial robot manufacturing” and “special operation robot manufacturing” following in 2023.

Analysts noted that this early classification facilitated later policy support, capital-market positioning and statistical monitoring.

In June 2026, several ministries launched a special program for real-scenario training of humanoid robots and embodied AI.

Customs adjustments, effective from Jan. 1, added specific tariff codes for intelligent biomimetic and cleaning robots, simplifying export clearance.

A faster pace

Official data showed that China has more than 400 complete humanoid robot models while quadruped robots account for nearly 70 percent of worldwide sales.

“China may produce more than 100,000 humanoid robots this year, with even higher growth expected in the following years, pointing to long-term opportunities in a sector with deep potential,” Yang Delong, chief economist at Shenzhen-based First Seafront Fund, told the Global Times.

China’s robot export momentum has also reached new heights. After becoming a net exporter of industrial robots for the first time in 2025, China’s industrial robot exports reached 6.29 billion yuan in the first half of 2026, reaching 141 countries and regions, official statistics show. Surgical robot exports rose 3.3 times year on year. Overall robot exports grew 359 percent.

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