China Becomes Key Hub for Foreign R&D and Manufacturing Efforts

Foreign companies are increasingly turning to China as a hub for research and development (R&D), advanced manufacturing, and global supply chains. According to business executives and market watchers, China's industrial upgrading, innovation capabilities, and complete supply chains enable foreign firms to accelerate product development and strengthen their competitiveness worldwide.

The country's ability to commercialize new technologies quickly allows foreign companies to shorten development cycles, improve efficiency, and bring new products to market rapidly. German industrial firm Freudenberg Group has made China a base for its humanoid robotics R&D, opening a co-creation center in Shanghai in mid-September.

Claus Moehlenkamp, Freudenberg's board chairman, said China has evolved from an industrial manufacturing powerhouse into an innovation-driven economy, giving the country a growing role in the group's global innovation and production network. The company plans to develop technologies and robot-related products in China for both domestic and overseas markets.

Honeywell Technologies is also tapping China's industrial ecosystem to accelerate technology development and commercialization. The United States-based industrial group opened a new China innovation center in Shanghai on September 1, bringing together its latest technologies and solutions across 12 immersive industry scenarios covering energy, smart manufacturing, and infrastructure.