High-tech products including robots, AI and drugs drive 60% of China's July export growth
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High-tech products including industrial robots, AI-related components and innovative drugs accounted for nearly 60% of China's export growth in July, as total exports rose 17.8% year on year. Industrial robot exports reached 7.34 billion yuan (about $1.1 billion), and first-half surgical robot exports grew 4.3 times to 480 million yuan.
New Export Mix
China's export structure is shifting from traditional mass goods to higher value-added products. In July, high-tech products including industrial robots and 3D printers contributed nearly 60% of overall export growth, as total exports rose 17.8% year on year. The shift follows the earlier 'new three' of electric vehicles, photovoltaic cells and lithium batteries.
Robotics Expansion
Industrial robot exports rose 13.2% in July to 7.34 billion yuan (about $1.1 billion). In the first half, surgical robot exports grew 4.3 times to 480 million yuan. Exports of cleaning robots and intelligent bionic systems, including humanoid robots, robot dogs, biomimetic fish and birds, reached 18.09 billion yuan. China became a net exporter of industrial robots for the first time in 2025.
AI and Drug Pipelines
In January-June, exports of electronic components and computer parts maintained double-digit growth. Chinese tech companies are expanding digital services exports, including AI algorithms, cloud technologies and software. Six of July's most-used open-weight models on OpenRouter were developed in China. In pharmaceuticals, Chinese companies signed 81 overseas licensing deals for innovative drugs in the first half with partners in 20 countries and regions, reaching 80% of the full-year 2025 value. China accounts for about 30% of new drugs under development worldwide, second globally, according to the State Drug Administration.
What's Next
Full-year 2026 trade data will show whether robot, AI and innovative drug exports sustain the July growth trajectory. It remains unclear whether China can replicate its first-half pharmaceutical licensing pace of 81 deals across 20 countries in the second half.
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High-tech products including robots, AI and drugs drive 60% of China's July export growth
