Zhiyuan Robotics Partner Yao Maoqing: Overseas Revenue Nears 20% in First Half of Year

At BEYOND Expo 2026, Yao Maoqing, a partner at Zhiyuan Robotics, revealed that the company’s overseas revenue share in the first half of this year approached 20%, doubling from less than 10% for the entire previous year. This is more than just a change in financial figures—it is a clear signal of Chinese high‑end hardware manufacturing enterprises breaking through in global markets. It marks that Chinese manufacturing, once dominant in consumer electronics, is now accelerating its entry into developed markets in Europe, America, Japan, and South Korea through higher‑barrier forms like “embodied intelligence” and “humanoid robots.”

The pace of this growth is astonishing. From less than 10% of total revenue for the whole of last year to nearly 20% in just the first half of this year, it indicates that Zhiyuan Robotics’ overseas expansion is not linear but has entered a track of exponential growth. Behind this must lie strong product capabilities, supply‑chain efficiency, and effective market strategies. Yao Maoqing explicitly positioned North America, Europe, and Japan‑South Korea as key markets for future large‑scale breakthroughs—a highly strategic move. These regions are not only traditional strongholds and major consumer markets for global robotics technology but also piers for setting technical standards and building brand prestige. Being able to penetrate and establish a foothold in these markets demonstrates that Zhiyuan Robotics’ products have, in terms of performance, reliability, and scenario adaptability, the capability to compete on equal footing with top international rivals.

However, the rapid increase in overseas revenue share also reveals another reality: Chinese robotics companies must adopt a global perspective from the very beginning. Although the domestic market is vast, the ultimate test for high‑end manufacturing lies globally. Only by succeeding in overseas markets—where technical standards are most stringent and customers most demanding—can companies refine their own technology and quality systems. Zhiyuan’s breakthrough is a microcosm of “Made in China” upgrading to “Smart Manufacturing in China” and climbing the global value chain. Unlike earlier overseas expansions driven by cost advantages, this involves exporting complete solutions and cutting‑edge embodied intelligence concepts—a flow of both technology and brand.

That said, we should maintain a cautious optimism. From nearly 20% to becoming a “significant” portion of overseas revenue, there is still a long road ahead. Markets in North America, Europe, and Japan‑South Korea have deep local industrial bases and customer loyalties, along with complex soft barriers such as regulations, after‑sales support, and cultural differences. How Zhiyuan builds localized service and support systems, and how it deals with potential technical trade barriers, will be key to determining how far its overseas story can go. Moreover, the humanoid robot sector is fiercely competitive, with international giants like Tesla’s Optimus looming and numerous domestic players ramping up efforts. How long the first‑mover advantage can be sustained remains uncertain.

At the same time, the international macro environment is full of complexities. While the European Central Bank is still grappling with “tackling inflation early,” China’s high‑end manufacturing sector, driven by technological innovation, is seeking certain growth in overseas markets. This contrast between industrial momentum and macroeconomic volatility highlights the ability of hard‑tech companies to navigate through cycles. Zhiyuan’s overseas expansion is not merely a commercial move by one company; it also provides a template for Chinese high‑end manufacturing to open new growth frontiers amid a complex geo‑economic landscape. It proves that sustained technological innovation is the most solid foundation for facing all uncertainties.