Nation's 'metal city' sees prosperous future in industrial robotics

HANGZHOU - More than 35 million vacuum bottles were produced last year by Haers Vacuum Containers Co Ltd in Yongkang, the second largest output of its kind worldwide. "A robot assembly line will be launched soon, and we are confident of surpassing the current leading producer this year," said Wang Shuyi, supply chain general manager of the company in Zhejiang province.

In line with the "Made in China 2025" strategy, which aims to upgrade the country's manufacturing sector, the government and businesses in Yongkang, a city in eastern China's Zhejiang province, have found new ways to enhance productivity and product quality while bringing down labor costs.

"The government had given around 40 million yuan ($6.3 million) of allowances to businesses that use advanced equipment such as industrial robots in 2017," said Ying Xujun, vice head of Yongkang economy and information technology bureau.