Robotics firms lag behind overseas competition

Despite the rapid growth of the Chinese robotics industry, Chinese robot manufacturers still have a long way to go before they have a fair share in the market along with their overseas competitors.

According to International Federation of Robotics, overseas robots manufacturers sold more than 27,000 units of robots last year, up 20 percent. Domestic companies sold only 9,600, but it was three times the number sold in 2012.

As the central government calls for an industrial restructuring and upgrading, China Consulting Research Institute predicted that the Chinese robotics industry will maintain an average 20 percent annual growth rate in the next three years.