China's national development and reform commission urges strategic approach to robot industry growth

On August 28, 2026, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) emphasized the need for a localized and strategic approach to developing the robot industry, warning against blind following trends and hasty expansion. Li Chao, deputy director of the NDRC's Policy Research Office, stated that the sector involves cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing, and must be developed in a healthy and orderly manner. The NDRC plans to focus on practical applications, using training facilities and application testing bases to drive real-world innovation. The commission also highlighted the importance of high-quality data collection systems to address the 'data hunger' issue in training. It aims to support diverse technological paths in model development and establish unified standards to reduce compatibility costs. Additionally, the NDRC plans to expand real-world applications in manufacturing, healthcare, consumer services, and public safety, while fostering a collaborative industry ecosystem through integrated testing and production facilities.