China Unveils Five-Year Plan for Robotics Development

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, together with 14 other government agencies, has revealed how it will continue developing the robotics industry during its 14th Five-Year Plan. 

China's Five-Year Plans are a series of socioeconomic development initiatives put forward by the Chinese government since 1953.

The document sets out several modest goals for China's robotics industry through 2025, but its overall aim is to make China a key source of global robotics innovation. The government also expects the average annual growth rate of operating profit in the robotics industry to exceed 20%.

To achieve these goals, the plan outlines five tasks requiring improvement:

1. Enhancing industrial innovation capacity.
2. Strengthening the foundation of industrial development.
3. Increasing the supply of high-quality products.
4. Expanding the depth and breadth of applications.
5. Optimizing the structure of industrial innovation.

"A new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation has now accelerated. The new generation of information technology, biotechnology, new energy and materials is deeply integrated with robotics technologies, and the robotics industry has opened a new period of modernization and rapid development. The world's largest industrialized countries see robots as a center of competition in the science and technology sector, and are also stepping up planning and positioning," the document says. 

China has moved into a stage of high-quality development, built a modern economic system and created a new picture of a better life. The country urgently needs strong support for emerging industries and technologies. As an important carrier of new technologies and key equipment for modern industry, robots are leading the digital development and intelligent modernization of industry and continuously fostering new industries, new models and new formats. 

The plan envisions that by 2035, the overall strength of China's robotics industry will reach the international leading level, and robots will become an important component of economic development, people's lives and social governance.

Enhancing industrial innovation capacity

China seeks to both strengthen core technologies and develop new ones. To this end, authorities plan to promote R&D (research and experimental development) domestically, especially in areas such as bionic perception and cognition, as well as biomechanical integration.

The country also seeks to promote the integration of technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, big data and cloud computing with robotics.

Strengthening the foundation of industrial development

To this end, China appears to have focused on standardizing the robotics industry. A national robot standardization organization is being established. The country also seeks to actively participate in international standardization efforts.

Increasing the supply of high-quality products

China's robotics industry seeks to meet the needs of manufacturing, mining, construction, agriculture, consumer services, utilities, medicine and healthcare, and other sectors. 

The country plans to help expand the existing product range, improve the performance, quality and safety of existing robots, and promote the development of specialized robots.

Expanding the depth and breadth of applications

Although existing robots already have many applications, the Chinese government is looking for new areas where robots could be useful. To this end, the country encourages cooperation between robotics companies and manufacturers of machinery and spare parts.

China also wants to explore new business models for robotics companies, such as new leasing platforms and intelligent cloud services.

Optimizing the production organizational structure

To address this task, China plans to promote new specialized "little giant" enterprises. These are small and medium-sized enterprises focused on specialization and technological refinement, as well as novelty.

The country also plans to develop a strong and stable supply chain. To this end, it encourages cooperation among upstream, midstream and downstream links of the production chain. This step also involves creating strategic robotics clusters with strong innovation potential across the country.

The plan also provides for five safeguard measures to ensure its implementation. These measures include: 

1. Strengthening overall planning and coordination. Coordinating the resources and efforts of various departments is important for supporting industrial innovation and development. 
2. Increasing financial, tax and fiscal support. This includes strengthening support for R&D and the application of robots in major national science and technology projects and key national plans, as well as optimizing the pilot work of insurance compensation mechanisms for the first major technical equipment.
3. Creating a favorable market environment. This means improving the industry's regulatory conditions and strengthening adoption and creditworthiness, as well as supporting the capacity building of third-party testing and certification institutions. 
4. Improving the talent protection system. This refers to supporting universities and research institutes in developing professional skills and combining high-level talent. 
5. Deepening international exchanges and cooperation. Carrying out international exchanges and cooperation in technology, standards, testing and certification, intellectual property rights, talent training and other areas. 

China's 13th Five-Year Plan was published in 2016, and the previous one in 2012.