In a significant stride toward elevating China’s robotics manufacturing landscape, Foshan, a pivotal industrial hub in southern China’s Guangdong Province, is accelerating the construction of the Haichuang Technology Robot Intelligent Manufacturing City. As a cornerstone project driving the city’s transformation from traditional manufacturing to a “robot capital,” the initiative underscores China’s relentless pursuit of technological innovation and industrial upgrading in the robotics sector. With a total investment of 5 billion yuan, the project—particularly its second phase—has emerged as a testament to Foshan’s ambition to consolidate its position as a national and global leader in robot-driven smart manufacturing.
A Mega-Project Catalyzing China’s Robot Industry
Launched in April 2025, the second phase of the Haichuang Technology Robot Intelligent Manufacturing City is a key highlight of Foshan’s 2025 Enterprise Capital Increase and Expansion Conference. Developed by Guangdong Haichuang Group, the project aims to create a sprawling robotics ecosystem spanning nearly 1.2 million square meters upon completion, combining the first and second phases. This ambitious undertaking reflects Foshan’s strategic vision to leverage robotics as an engine for economic transformation, aligning with China’s broader goals to dominate high-end manufacturing sectors, including industrial and service robotics.
“The project symbolizes Foshan’s commitment to becoming a benchmark for China’s robot industry,” notes Qiu Zhanou, Deputy General Manager of Haichuang Dazhu Robot Intelligent Manufacturing City. Speaking from the first-phase campus, Qiu emphasizes the project’s role in aggregating a full-value-chain ecosystem. “Here, walking through the park allows you to witness the entire robot manufacturing process—from core components to system integration,” he states, highlighting the cluster’s ability to host over 190 enterprises engaged in every stage of robot production. This vertical integration, where “upstream and downstream businesses are just floors apart,” has turned the park into a microcosm of China’s robotics industrial prowess.
Vertical Integration: A Model for China’s Robot Industrial Clusters
At the heart of the ecosystem lies Huayan Robot (formerly Dazhu Robot), a global collaborative robot leader that has established its worldwide headquarters within the park. Renowned for its internationally advanced seven-axis collaborative robots, Huayan exemplifies the technical sophistication embedded in Foshan’s robot industry. The company’s presence has drawn other industry heavyweights, such as German “hidden champion” Delikang, which has set up its Asian base here to leverage Foshan’s manufacturing ecosystem.
“The concentration of enterprises here is a direct result of Foshan’s robust manufacturing foundation and the government’s efficient service system,” Qiu explains. He highlights how local authorities promptly address enterprise needs, from policy support to infrastructure development, creating an environment where innovation thrives. This public-private partnership model has not only attracted domestic players but also international firms seeking to tap into China’s rapidly expanding robot market, which is projected to account for a significant share of global robotics adoption in the coming decade.
The first phase of the park, already 90% occupied, showcases the success of this model. Enterprises within the cluster span the entire robotics value chain, from component suppliers (e.g., servo motors, controllers) to 本体 manufacturers (robot body producers) and system integrators. This “one-stop” ecosystem reduces supply chain costs and accelerates product development, positioning Foshan as a critical node in China’s robot industry network.
Future Vision: Building a Smart Logistics Hub for China’s Robot Sector
The second phase, spanning 560,000 square meters, aims to elevate the park’s capabilities by introducing a smart logistics engine. Scheduled for completion within a year, the phase will feature fully automated three-dimensional intelligent warehousing facilities designed to streamline logistics operations—including storage, sorting, packaging, distribution, and return processing—for robotics and high-end equipment enterprises. “This isn’t just about expanding space; it’s about creating a next-generation supply chain infrastructure that supports the entire robotics industry,” Qiu says.
The intelligent logistics hub will not only serve the park’s tenants but also act as a shared supply chain resource for neighboring industries, such as smart home appliances and advanced equipment manufacturing. By integrating green and energy-efficient technologies, the hub aligns with China’s dual carbon goals while enhancing operational efficiency. For Foshan, this represents a strategic pivot toward becoming a “smart logistics hub” for southern China’s robot industry, enabling faster product deployment and global market access.
Policy-Driven Transformation: Foshan’s Village Reform Model
The project’s success is deeply rooted in Shunde District’s innovative “government-led + industrial introduction + social capital” village renovation model. This approach has transformed underutilized industrial land into a high-value innovation zone. Data illustrates the dramatic impact: prior to renovation, the land’s annual output per mu (0.067 hectares) stood at 1.1 million yuan; post-transformation, this figure has soared to over 40 million yuan, a nearly 37-fold increase.
Moreover, the project has fostered close collaboration between academia and industry. The Foshan Graduate School of Northeastern University, with over 200 master’s students stationed in the park, works hand-in-hand with enterprises on R&D projects. This “two-way 奔赴” (mutual engagement) between research institutions and industries ensures that technological advancements are rapidly translated into commercial applications, a critical factor in Foshan’s rise as a China robot innovation hub.
“The combination of policy innovation, industrial clustering, and academic collaboration makes Foshan a compelling model for China’s robot industry development,” observes a senior industry analyst. “It demonstrates how a traditional manufacturing city can reinvent itself through strategic investments in emerging technologies.”
A Symbol of Progress: Merging Industry and Sustainability
Visually, the Haichuang Technology Robot Intelligent Manufacturing City embodies the harmony between industrial development and ecological conservation. Surrounded by the Xihai Dacong Beautiful Shore Demonstration Project, the park’s modern factories blend seamlessly with riverside greenways, creating a landscape where advanced manufacturing coexists with nature. This aesthetic and functional integration reflects Foshan’s commitment to sustainable development, a core tenet of China’s new-era industrial policies.
As construction continues on the second phase, the site—once a historic location of the “Xihai Victory” during the Chinese Revolution—now echoes with the sounds of 桩机 (pile drivers), symbolizing a new era of industrial revolution. For Foshan, the project is more than a business venture; it is a statement of intent to lead China’s robot industry into a future defined by innovation, efficiency, and global competitiveness.
Conclusion: Foshan’s Role in China’s Robot Dominance
The Haichuang Technology Robot Intelligent Manufacturing City represents a microcosm of China’s rapid advancement in robotics. Through strategic investments, policy innovation, and ecosystem building, Foshan is proving that it can transform from a “world factory” into a “robot capital.” As the project progresses, it will not only drive local economic growth but also set a benchmark for China’s robot industry, showcasing how vertical integration, government support, and academic collaboration can foster global leadership in high-tech manufacturing.
For the world, Foshan’s story offers insights into China’s strategy to dominate the robotics sector—a key battleground in the global technology race. As Qiu concludes, “This is just the beginning. Foshan’s robot ecosystem will continue to grow, driving China’s march toward becoming a global robotics powerhouse.”