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Economic Watch: China plays big role in global industrial smart transition

Xinhua
| June 24, 2026
2026-06-24

BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- At the fourth China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) currently underway in Beijing, a humanoid robot dances to lively music, while another engages in a dynamic soccer drill with human staff on a miniature pitch.

Nearby, attendees scan a QR code to enjoy ice cream crafted by a robotic arm.

These futuristic scenes offer a glimpse into how China's supply chain is empowering a global smart industrial transition.

The five-day expo, which runs from Monday through Friday, features an AI exhibition zone. In this exhibition area, leading international AI enterprises, such as Intel and Apple, along with their respective Chinese partners, are showcasing cutting-edge achievements in smart chips, large models, and industry solutions.

At its sprawling booth, Intel unveiled a comprehensive "ecosystem wall," combining physical products and mapping to illustrate its supply chain.

"In the era of AI, we've been working with our partners to bring new applications and products that help everyday citizens, whether it's our AI home box, AI in the car, or safety solutions for the mining and construction industries," said Sarah Kemp, vice president for International Government Affairs at Intel. "It's so exciting to see what we can develop with our Chinese partners."

Apple, a veteran exhibitor, teamed up with three Chinese supply chain partners to highlight advancements in smart manufacturing, green initiatives, and talent development.

Cowain, a Chinese smart manufacturing firm that has collaborated with Apple since 2012, showcased an automated assembly line for watch crowns. Utilizing its proprietary precision assembly technologies, the company successfully solved the challenge of high-precision, damage-free assembly of Apple Watch crowns within confined spaces.

"We've been participating in the CISCE for four years because we deeply value our relationship with Chinese supplier partners," said Sabih Khan, Apple's chief operating officer, while at the venue.

Relentless efforts of Chinese suppliers enable Apple to deliver premium products to users. The collaboration created a powerful synergy where both sides mutually benefit, he added.

Meanwhile, Schneider Electric, a France-based global energy technology firm, displayed how AI is deeply integrated into its global supply chain. Li Cong, vice president of supply chain performance and digitalization in China at the company, said AI plays a pivotal role in quality control and inventory management, with the firm leveraging multiple Chinese large language models to further boost production efficiency.

Highlighting the strategic importance of the region, he said the firm's upstream raw material supply chain has achieved a high degree of localization in China. "China's supply chain possesses unparalleled global competitiveness in terms of industrial resilience, product quality, and sustainability. From a global perspective, China's supply chain is irreplaceable."

Yin Zheng, Schneider Electric's executive vice president for China & East Asia Operations, described China as both a "stabilizer" and an "innovation source" for global industrial chains, due to its complete industrial system, massive market, and optimized business environment.

"We will use the CISCE as an opportunity to further root ourselves in China, deepen our localization strategy, and foster industrial collaboration to build a secure, resilient, efficient, and low-carbon industrial system for the future," Yin said. Enditem

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