China has surpassed the South Korean, German, Japanese and American markets in the acquisition of industrial robots for two consecutive years. Now, trade delegates are shooting for the stars to make China one of the leading robotics manufacturers by 2030.
The country has all the makings of a robotics leader given its major manufacturing bases and strong demand for such technology. Local robot makers are also backed by national policy and huge market potential.
"We predict that China can become one of the strongest industrial robot makers by 2030," said Song Xiaodong, the secretary-general of the China Robot Industry Alliance.
China first became the world's top buyer of robots in 2013, when the country ordered 37,000 units from manufacturers across the world. In 2014, a quarter of robots made across the globe were sold in China, which shows a 55-percent increase.
The country has an increasingly growing demand for robots since 2009 due to high labor costs and shortage of workers.
It seems more prudent and cost-effective for China to develop its own robotics industry, and domestic manufacturers are rising up to the challenge. Since 2005, over 700 companies have entered the Chinese robotics industry. In Chongqing, Sichuan Province, 65 robot makers have flocked to its Phoenix Lake Industrial Park.
The park is expected to play host to 200 robot companies by 2020.
"Both Chongqing and Chengdu in Sichuan Province are major manufacturing bases and they will have a very strong need for robots," stated He Minjia, Guangzhou CNC Equipment's president. His company is one of those that have set up shop in Yongchuan. "We see a huge potential here," He said.
It's an ambitious goal set by the trade alliance, but industrial robot manufacturing will benefit from the national plan called Made in China 2025.
As of now, foreign manufacturers dominate the Chinese robotics market.