Tech Desk 
May 18, 2025
With China leading the incorporation of humanoid robotics across industries, the world seems worried whether it's a move leading to the replacement of human workers. But it's no longer the way it appeared, as Chinese higher-ups leading the country's renowned tech firms have explained that the rise of humanoid robots is not meant for mass unemployment, but rather to boost collaboration and productivity.
Liang Liang, deputy director at the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, known for hosting one of China’s largest tech zones, expressed the aforementioned views in an interview with foreign media on Friday to clarify the Chinese government's position.
"We don't believe robots will make people unemployed, but rather they'll boost efficiency or take on tasks humans are unwilling to do — like exploring the vast universe or the ocean depths where people can't go," Liang said. He added, "When it's nighttime and humans need rest, machines could keep working, giving us better, cheaper, and more user-friendly products."
His AI-glorifying remarks came on the heels of the world’s first robot half-marathon held in Beijing last month, where humans and robots competed on separate tracks, as reported by Reuters.
At the eventful occasion at the X-Humanoid centre, robots like the Tiangong Ultra showed off their startling skills, with jaw-dropping milestones ranging from top speeds of 12 kph to self-correcting abilities during tasks.
