China to build humanoid robots by 2025

China’s harboured ambitions for years to take the lead in cutting-edge spheres from artificial intelligence (AI) to quantum computing. Now it’s set its sights on yet another realm with sci-fi qualities: lifelike robots.

The country aims to produce its first humanoid robots by 2025, according to a blueprint laid out by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The government will nurture more young companies focused on the field, set industry standards, develop talent and deepen international cooperation.

Shares of Chinese robotics companies surged after the policy guidance, which adds another dimension to a technological race between the world’s two biggest economies in chips and hardware. US companies such as Tesla and Boston Dynamics have so far enjoyed an edge in the technology.

China, the world’s No 1 electronics manufacturer, targets breakthroughs in environment sensing, motion control and machine-to-human interaction capabilities in the next two years, the ministry said. The government is encouraging the use of AI in robotics and called for more research into the development of dexterous robot hands, arms and feet.

The policy document was short on details but big on ambition. China also wants humanoid robots to think, learn and innovate by 2027, and plans to establish a reliable industry supply chain system to support their manufacture, it said.

Shares of Ningbo Zhongda Leader Intelligent Transmission and Miracle Automation Engineering jumped by the daily limit of 10 per cent, while Siasun Robot & Automation and Shenzhen Sunwin Intelligent also advanced.