As a robot torch-bearer took the spotlight during the kick-off of the 15th National Games torch relay in Shenzhen on Sunday, China’s rapid advancements in both industrial and emerging humanoid robots were hailed as a pivotal force in the industrial economy.

The humanoid robot Kuavo, developed by Shenzhen-based Leju Robotics, completed a 100-metre (328-foot) leg of the relay, gripping a 1.6kg (3.5-pound) torch as it passed the baton between runners, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Sunday.

And in another report that day, CCTV said: “From the factory to daily life, robots are at the heart of China’s evolution from a manufacturing giant to a smart innovation leader.”

The robotic display also marked another step by Chinese companies towards deploying their robots in real-world applications, from industrial to service sectors.

The latest official data reflected robust momentum in China’s industrial robot sector, with production reaching 595,000 units in the first nine months of 2025 – up 29.8 per cent, year on year, and surpassing the total output for all of 2024.

The rapid production increase is being fuelled by strong demand from downstream manufacturing, as key sectors such as automotive, electronics and new energy accelerate their automation upgrades, the report said.

China’s 15th five-year-plan recommendations, released last week, called for advancing the digital and intelligent transformation of manufacturing in industrial upgrading.