Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) June 19th – During his visit to Hangzhou, Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing made a special trip to visit Unitree Robotics. He watched a robot martial arts performance, frequently applauding the impressive display, and learned in detail about the company's various robot products and the world's first mass-produced manned transforming mecha, GD01, experiencing firsthand China's cutting-edge achievements in embodied intelligence.
Since 2026, many world leaders have included Hangzhou as an important stop on their visits to China, with visits to robotics companies becoming a common choice.
In February of this year, German Chancellor Merz, as the first foreign leader to visit China in the Year of the Horse, chose Hangzhou as his only stop outside of Beijing, with Unitree Robotics as his first stop. He watched a humanoid robot write the character "福" (Fu, meaning good fortune), watched a martial arts performance, and witnessed demonstrations of applications in factory and home scenarios, expressing his high appreciation for Chinese robotics technology with a thumbs-up and continuous applause.
During his visit to Hangzhou, Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos, visited the robotics company CloudDeep Technology, interacted with humanoid robots, and personally controlled a quadruped robot, enjoying a highly immersive experience. In addition, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Jean-Pierre Prevost visited CloudDeep Technology; and Hassan, Secretary-General of the ruling party of Kenya, led a delegation to inspect the "Hangzhou Six Little Dragons" lifestyle exhibition hall, experiencing robot application scenarios firsthand.
Why does Hangzhou's robotics industry continue to attract dignitaries from all over the world? The answer lies in the city's three key strategic moves in industrial development.
First, forward-looking planning and seizing the initiative: With over two decades of deep cultivation in the digital economy, Hangzhou has long been at the forefront of the digital economy, and its strategic deployment in the artificial intelligence field is particularly "early" and "accurate." In 2014, Hangzhou took the lead nationwide in proposing the development of the information economy, listing artificial intelligence as a core direction; subsequently, leading robotics companies such as Unitree Robotics and CloudDeep Technology have established operations there. In 2017, the China (Hangzhou) Artificial Intelligence Town opened, and by the end of 2025, it has gathered over 200 innovative and entrepreneurial enterprises in the "artificial intelligence +" field.
Data shows that in 2025, Hangzhou's core artificial intelligence industry revenue reached 460 billion yuan, with 785 core enterprises. Its market share in quadruped robots and humanoid robots exceeded 80% and 50% respectively. Last year, Hangzhou officially set its sights on becoming the "Number One City for Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Development," striving to reach global leadership.
With robust support, Hangzhou, known for its innovative ecosystem, provides comprehensive support for the embodied intelligence industry. In 2026, Hangzhou intensively introduced policies, built platforms, and optimized the environment: It issued the "Hangzhou Artificial Intelligence Innovation Hub Construction 2026 Action Plan," launching the construction of an embodied intelligence integration and innovation hub; on May 1st, the first local regulation in China focusing on embodied intelligent robots, the "Hangzhou Municipal Regulations on Promoting the Development of the Embodied Intelligent Robot Industry," came into effect, safeguarding the industry's steady and long-term development through the rule of law; in the second quarter, the only national artificial intelligence application pilot base (embodied intelligence) in China specifically for the embodied intelligence field was unveiled, addressing a key shortcoming in pilot-scale testing.
Currently, Hangzhou has formed a complete embodied intelligent industry chain encompassing core algorithms, key components, complete machine manufacturing, and scenario applications, with its industrial ecosystem becoming increasingly mature.
Active scenario applications have activating a value loop, such as tea-picking robots and robot dogs for tea picking and transportation, and the nation's first traffic management robot squadron on duty. Hangzhou has deeply integrated robots into transportation, construction, culture and entertainment, and public services, leading the country in scenario innovation. Based on a "digital economy foundation + platform traction + resource support + talent and capital synergy," Hangzhou's artificial intelligence industry adheres to an application-oriented approach, using scenarios to drive technological iteration and demand to drive industrial upgrading.
The local government is promoting the "AI+" initiative, implementing scenario-open demonstration projects, collecting demand lists from the government and the market, and promoting precise matching between technology supply and market demand. The goal is to establish more than 100 embodied intelligent robot application scenarios and select more than 30 typical "robot+" scenarios by 2027.
Enriching scenarios further propels Hangzhou's robots onto the world stage. During the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, the "Cyber Patrol Team," a quadruped robot developed by Hangzhou companies in collaboration with their Mexican partners, made its debut at Monterrey Stadium, providing security patrol solutions for the global event.
Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Jean-Pierre Prevost once commented, "China's integration of artificial intelligence technology into industrial, civilian, and public service sectors is truly admirable."
With the global robotics industry remaining highly competitive, Hangzhou is not chasing trends but focusing on real-world applications. It is continuously streamlining the entire chain from laboratory to production line, from product launches to global orders, and from individual products to a comprehensive ecosystem. Through its strong capabilities and practical implementation, Hangzhou is writing a Chinese solution embodying the intelligent industry. (End)
