China exported 10.377 million robots across various categories between January and May this year, with total export earnings approaching 20 billion yuan (about $2.98 billion), according to the country’s customs data.
The robots were shipped to more than 150 countries and regions, with the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations remaining the largest export markets, China Media Group reported.
Industry experts said the rapid growth in robot exports during the first five months of the year reflects an improving product mix, strengthening China’s position in high-end manufacturing and expanding its presence in global markets.
Cleaning robots remained the country’s leading export product, accounting for more than 70 per cent of total robot exports. Customs figures showed that exports of the segment were valued at about 14 billion yuan during the review period.
The report attributed the strong international demand for Chinese-made cleaning robots to advanced technologies, including autonomous navigation, automatic dust collection and intelligent wastewater recycling systems. These innovations have enabled the products to adapt effectively to different residential environments, giving them a competitive edge in overseas markets.
Industrial robot exports also recorded significant growth, with about 70,000 units shipped abroad between January and May as their application across global industries continued to widen.
According to the report, handling robots equipped with vision recognition systems and intelligent algorithms are increasingly being deployed in major infrastructure and transportation projects overseas. Welding robots featuring automatic scanning and modelling capabilities are able to determine optimal processing parameters in real time, while collaborative robots are gaining wider acceptance in industries such as food processing, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods manufacturing.
Emerging segments also contributed to the expansion, with exports of intelligent bionic robots exceeding 8,000 units. These robots are being used in areas including equipment inspection, scientific research, education and public services.
Analysts attributed the sustained growth in exports to China’s integrated domestic industrial supply chain, which has strengthened production capacity and enhanced the global competitiveness of its robotics industry.
A report released by the National Data Administration on June 8 showed that China’s industrial robot exports increased by 48.7 per cent in 2025, surpassing imports for the first time and making the country a net exporter of industrial robots.
The report further revealed that China had more than 140 complete robot manufacturers in 2025, while over 330 humanoid robot models had been introduced to the market. Industrial robot production rose by 28 per cent year-on-year, while service robot output reached 18.581 million units, representing a 16.1 per cent increase compared with the previous year.
It also noted that about one million robot-related enterprises are currently operating across China. By the end of 2025, the country had recorded 744 investment transactions in embodied intelligence and robotics, with total financing amounting to 73.54 billion yuan.
