China bets on AI, robotics and biotech as the new export engines

The shift marks a departure from the country’s historical reliance on low-cost labor and consumer goods. While the previous "new three"—electric vehicles, lithium batteries, and solar products—remain pillars of foreign trade, the focus is now sharpening on high-end innovation. Data from the first half of 2026 underscores this transformation, with robotics exports reaching $929 million across 141 countries. High-end surgical robots alone saw a 3.3-fold increase in overseas demand, signaling a shift toward specialized, knowledge-intensive services.

Pharmaceuticals and AI are mirroring this upward trajectory. Licensing deals in the biotech sector hit $110 billion in the first six months of the year, with Chinese firms securing eight of the top 10 global agreements. Meanwhile, AI model token usage surged by nearly 31 percent in a single week this July. Wang Peng, a fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, argues that this evolution centers on core research and technical services rather than mere production volume. By moving into R&D and standard-setting, Chinese enterprises are actively repositioning themselves within the global value chain, aiming to provide infrastructure that supports industrial upgrading for partners worldwide.