China is flaunting its robotics industry with a series of big events: the first World Humanoid Robot Games, the opening of a robot dealership in Beijing, and the World Robot Conference. Technologists think androids are the future, and analysts say China is leagues ahead.

Beijing

The World Robot Conference in Beijing has underscored China's growing leadership in robotics, with demonstrations of advanced robots and the announcement of new industry milestones. The Chinese government has reported a 27.8 percent increase in the robot industry's operating revenue over the first half of the year, reflecting strong investment and policy support.

Chinese firms are leveraging government backing, significant investment, and manufacturing expertise to develop robotics technology more quickly and cost-effectively than international competitors. While American companies like Nvidia and Tesla are also active in the sector, Chinese companies are focusing on expanding sales in Europe amid increasing restrictions on tech exports to the United States. Security concerns have been raised by US Congress regarding the potential misuse of Chinese robotics technology.

Beijing conference highlights China's push for innovation

They're fighting, dancing, chatting, soothing and generally showing off, albeit somewhat clumsily. This week's World Robot Conference in Beijing is just one of a flood of events hammering home the message that when it comes to robotics, China's number one. The Chinese government attaches great importance to the development of the robot industry. In the first half of this year, the operating revenue of the robot industry increased 27.8 percent year on year. Chinese media are vaunting a series of world firsts. This week also saw the opening of a robot dealership in Beijing, offering sales, spare parts and maintenance. Before that, we had the first robot marathon runners. And teams are training hard for the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games next week. Androids are expected to become much more useful, particularly given advances in AI. And by all accounts, China is already well ahead. I think robots have a greater range of applications in China. They become practical quicker and the market in China is bigger. The innovation is more comprehensive. American tech giants Nvidia and Tesla are making moves in the sector, but Chinese firms can develop robots more cheaply thanks to government support, massive investment and manufacturing know-how. For foreign sales, Europe is a particular focus, with the US coming down harder on Chinese tech imports in recent years. Congress has warned that Unitri, the company behind these boxing robots, could use their remote access features to spy or cause disruption.

President Donald Trump's envoy met with the Qatari prime minister on Saturday in Spain to discuss possible deals to end the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, as Israel's military plans to expand into Gaza City. Meanwhile, families of Israeli hostages and Palestinians alike are pleading for peace.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

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Kyiv

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London

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State of Rio de Janeiro

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Breakdown