National People's Congress Representative Jia Shaoqian Discusses AI, Robotics, and Going Global: Chinese Manufacturing Faces New Opportunities

The 2026 Government Work Report repeatedly mentions artificial intelligence, emphasizing “building a new form of intelligent economy,” deepening and expanding “AI+” initiatives, promoting the rapid adoption of next-generation intelligent terminals and agents, and pushing for large-scale commercialization of AI in key industries, cultivating new business models and formats rooted in intelligence.

At the same time, 2026 marks the beginning of the “14th Five-Year Plan.” The outline emphasizes the leading role of technological innovation, focusing on consolidating and strengthening the real economy, and building a modern industrial system with advanced manufacturing as its backbone. It aims for high-level technological independence and self-reliance, strengthening original innovation and tackling key core technologies, advancing the Digital China initiative, with the added value of core digital economy industries reaching 12.5% of GDP.

During the 2026 National Two Sessions, Jia Shaoqian, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Hisense Group, spoke with reporters from Southern Finance about topics including AI, embodied intelligence, and enterprise globalization.

AI Brings More Possibilities to China’s Economic Development

Artificial intelligence is accelerating its integration into all aspects of economic and social development. According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, by 2025, China’s core AI industry will exceed 1.2 trillion yuan, with over 6,200 companies, forming a complete industrial system covering foundational infrastructure, model frameworks, and industry applications. In 2025, Chinese companies led the world in open-source large model downloads, significantly lowering AI usage barriers and costs, enhancing AI’s accessibility and inclusiveness.

On the production side, by the end of 2025, over 30% of large-scale manufacturing enterprises in China had adopted AI technologies. On the consumer side, AI glasses, AI smartphones, and AI computers are entering thousands of households. Additionally, more than 300 humanoid robots developed by Chinese companies are now in use, accounting for over half of the global total.

Regarding the integration of AI with the real economy, Jia Shaoqian stated that AI’s empowering capabilities exceed expectations and present great opportunities for industrial development. China is still in the development stage, and AI could help rapidly build strong industrial capabilities and catch up with developed countries.

In Jia Shaoqian’s view, the significance of AI lies not only in technological breakthroughs but also in its potential to reshape the pace and trajectory of Chinese industrial development. “It greatly shortens the previous generation gaps, can reduce cycles, and makes progress more direct,” he said.

He predicts that AI will be widely applied across various production and life scenarios in the future. As data governance becomes more standardized, and if technical standards and interface protocols become more uniform, the possibilities AI offers to humans will continue to expand.

Currently, AI is moving from technological breakthroughs to large-scale practical applications. Whether it’s the accelerated adoption of intelligent terminals or the emergence of new forms like agents and humanoid robots, these developments reflect a deepening integration of AI with the real economy. For a manufacturing powerhouse like China, with its diverse industries, vast application scenarios, and continuously improving digital infrastructure, there is ample space for AI to realize its value.

Jia Shaoqian believes that 2026 will be a crucial year for China’s economic and social development, as well as a period of global opportunity. AI not only opens new avenues for industrial upgrading, efficiency improvements, and cultivating new consumption but also sparks imagination for global technological progress and economic growth.

“We believe that with Chinese wisdom and the ongoing progress of global civilization, more possibilities will emerge in the future,” Jia Shaoqian said.

Humanoid Robots Are Not Yet in the “Involution” Stage

At the 2026 Spring Festival Gala, humanoid robots stole the show, performing flips and skits. The significant advances in bionic design and movement capabilities demonstrated the potential for scenario-based applications. After the event, market enthusiasm surged, with frequent reports of funding for robot companies and the rapid expansion of the “billion-dollar valuation club.”

The 2026 Government Work Report shows that in 2025, industrial robot output increased by 28%. It also lists embodied intelligence as a future industry. With continued policy support, the robotics industry is transitioning from technological validation to scenario-based application, raising higher expectations for commercialization.

Observing this “robot boom,” Jia Shaoqian said that the market is full of expectations for robot development, and many manufacturers are investing actively. Currently, the industry should be encouraged and supported, and increased participation from more companies will help truly advance the sector toward industrialization.

He explained that the concept of robots includes several development stages: general-purpose robots, specialized robots, and humanoid robots. These are at different maturity levels, trained for different scenarios, offering varying services and skills. Fully autonomous humanoid robots are still far from everyday life, whereas specialized robots are already mature in industrial, commercial, and household applications.

He further noted that under the current AI empowerment, the development speed of the robotics industry has accelerated significantly, with more open application scenarios. Future growth will far surpass traditional industries. Therefore, external confidence and encouragement for trying new industries and tracks are essential, but must follow industry and market laws.

As a manufacturing enterprise, Hisense is actively promoting AI and robotics in industry. Currently, Hisense has built three lighthouse factories, three national-level smart factories, four national 5G factories, and twenty national green factories, integrating robotics and AI throughout the entire process from R&D to delivery.

However, the hot market also raises concerns about overheating and product homogeneity, leading to worries about “involution.” Jia Shaoqian believes that the robotics industry is far from the stage of “involution” or “counter-involution.” As a new industry and track, robotics has meaningful value for industrial development. “We should maintain rational judgment, avoid herd mentality in investments, and follow market and industry laws,” he said. To truly integrate robots into daily life, empowering and assisting people across broad fields, a process of practice and refinement is necessary, involving continuous training to enhance scenario capabilities.

He emphasized that robots should deepen their industrial applications while gradually expanding into service and daily life scenarios. With further maturity of embodied intelligence and humanoid robot technologies, robots are expected to play roles in household services, healthcare, and complex tasks. However, industry laws suggest this process will not happen overnight; it requires ongoing investment, training, and scenario enrichment to transition from concept hype to practical, useful tools.

“Gradually improving the robotics industry is a necessary process,” Jia Shaoqian said. “Robots are important tools that can empower industries and improve human life quality. The future prospects are very promising.”

Chinese Companies Going Global Are Unstoppable

As industrial upgrading continues, Chinese manufacturing is moving toward the mid-to-high end of the global value chain. During the 2026 Two Sessions, a key topic was how Chinese companies can better go global and coordinate domestic and international markets.

Jia Shaoqian believes that China’s comprehensive product capabilities and complete supply chains create vast overseas market opportunities. Going global is a natural step. “On one hand, China should leverage its large domestic market to achieve a strong domestic cycle; on the other hand, it should effectively connect domestic and international cycles.”

He sees China’s globalization journey as a process of continuously enhancing manufacturing strength. Over the past decades, China has accumulated extensive experience, transitioning from exporting low-end, low-cost products to high-end and brand exports, with rich local operational expertise.

Taking Hisense as an example, Jia Shaoqian noted that over more than 30 years of development, Hisense’s brand and product strength have steadily improved. Its overseas revenue share has increased year by year, reaching half of total revenue by 2025.

From OEM manufacturing to independent branding, from cost-effective products to high-end breakthroughs, Hisense’s globalization reflects China’s shift from manufacturing to branding. Currently, Hisense’s high-end products are priced above $20,000. According to Aowei Cloud data, in January 2026, Hisense held 14.57% of global TV shipments, ranking second worldwide, with positive growth among the top three brands—an 8.17% year-over-year increase—further narrowing the market share gap with leading overseas brands.

As China’s manufacturing continues to advance toward high-end, intelligent, and green development, more companies are participating in global competition with greater maturity, helping to elevate China’s overall manufacturing image. In recent years, Hisense has increased investments in major international sports events like the World Cup and European Championship, expanding its brand influence abroad and boosting global recognition. This is seen as a microcosm of Chinese companies moving from “product exports” to “brand exports” in the globalization process.

Jia Shaoqian stated, “Our independent brands now account for 87%, up from just 10% in the past.” He emphasized that Hisense will continue to focus on building its own brands. In his view, whether it’s leading Chinese enterprises or small and medium-sized firms, globalization remains a key trend.

(Author: Kong Haili, Peng Xin; Editor: Ni Yuqing)