Satellite industry set for rapid expansion

China has filed plans with the International Telecommunication Union to deploy over 200,000 low-Earth-orbit satellites across roughly 14 constellations, a record-breaking move as major powers race to secure scarce orbital slots and radio spectrums.
Data published on the ITU website showed that China submitted filings covering roughly 14 constellations, the largest number the country has ever submitted. Two of the applications alone each seek authorization for 96,714 satellites, underscoring the unprecedented scale of the proposals.

Chipmakers driving AI boom

China's artificial intelligence boom is increasingly being driven by chipmakers, as export controls by the United States on advanced semiconductors accelerate Beijing's push for AI development, according to a new ranking released by the Hurun Research Institute.
AI chip companies have claimed seven of the top 10 spots in the 2025 Hurun China Artificial Intelligence Enterprises Top 50, with Cambricon Technologies Corp, Moore Threads, and MetaX Integrated Circuits (Shanghai) Co Ltd taking the top three positions by valuation.

AI driving transformation

AI-driven integration with advanced manufacturing is becoming the decisive force in the transformation of China's manufacturing powerhouse, as intelligent technologies increasingly reshape factory floors and industrial systems nationwide, industry officials and experts have said.
Recent breakthroughs in artificial intelligence have made the deep integration of advanced manufacturing and intelligent technologies not only inevitable but essential, according to Zeng Jianping, deputy secretary-general of the National Manufacturing Strategy Advisory Committee.

Scaling up humanoid robots

The Beijing Innovation Center of Humanoid Robotics opened a pilot manufacturing and validation platform on Thursday that is designed to support the transition of humanoid robots from small-batch prototyping to scalable production.
Completed and brought online last year, the massive facility covers prototyping process validation, system integration, and testing to promote practical applications for embodied humanoid robots. It is designed to serve companies, universities, and research institutes across the industry's supply chain.

Foreign firms bullish

China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) has a strong focus on innovation and sustainable growth, offering foreign firms in China more opportunities to develop in the country, said Marc Horn, president of Merck China.