Active in robotics and curious about China?
Robotics and industrial automation are shaping the future of the manufacturing industry. In China, innovation in robotics is driven by pragmatism and speed: ideas are implemented, further developed, and scaled up in real-life production environments. During this exploratory trip, you as a Dutch entrepreneur will gain direct insight into how robots, cobots, and smart automation are developed, deployed, and scaled in China, at the heart of one of the most advanced manufacturing regions worldwide: the Yangtze River Delta.
Robotics in the Yangtze River Delta & CIIF
The Yangtze River Delta (including Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou) is the ultimate Chinese powerhouse of advanced manufacturing and a leading region for robotics and industrial automation. Here, technological development, production capacity, and industrial ecosystems converge in a way that is increasingly setting the global trend.
The China International Industry Fair (CIIF) in Shanghai is one of the world's largest industrial trade fairs (3,000 exhibitors, 250,000 visitors, 300,000 m²), bringing together market leaders and foremost players. CIIF focuses on the entire manufacturing industry, with an emphasis on industrial robotics, collaborative robots, mobile robots, core components and automation systems from companies both within China and abroad. CIIF showcases relevant solutions, players and applications, providing valuable insights for companies to further orient themselves and deepen their understanding.
Why participate?
- Practical insight into robotics and automation in the Chinese manufacturing industry.
- Visit to CIIF in Shanghai, a place where technological trends, industrial applications, and market developments in robotics and the manufacturing industry converge.
- Direct insight into trends, speed and scaling in Chinese manufacturing environments.
- Access to Chinese market leaders, technological pioneers and decision-makers
- Understanding innovations that improve efficiency, productivity, and workload.
- Stronger strategic position by increasing knowledge and expertise in 1) Chinese robotics, 2) doing business in China, and 3) economic resilience.
This exploratory trip focuses on exploration, innovation and international business development.
For whom?
Dutch companies active in robotics and industrial automation that wish to strengthen their strategic, technological, and international position.
- Companies focused on robotics that want to strategically position themselves better by knowing what's happening in China, or are considering international expansion in China.
- Companies that develop and improve (parts of) industrial robots, cobots, and automation solutions.
- Companies that want to lead the way in the next phase of robotics and automation in the manufacturing industry.
Concept programme
Shanghai
Introducing China’s key robotics and manufacturing industry ecosystem, combined with participation in the China International Industry Fair (CIIF).
- Day 1 — Sunday 11 OctoberDaytime: Arrival at Shanghai Pudong International Airport Evening: Welcome dinner with a final briefing on the itinerary.
- Day 2 — Monday 12 OctoberVisit to the China International Industry Fair (CIIF) in Shanghai.(* based on your company's needs, we look at a joint approach: e.g. exclusive tour, seminar participation, activities or networking event.)
Shanghai – Hangzhou – Nanjing
Company visits and deepening understanding of robotics ecosystems in Zhejiang and Jiangsu.
- Day 3 — Tuesday 13 OctoberDaytime: business visits to robotics companies in Shanghai & Hangzhou (think of companies like JAKA robotics & Unitree). Evening: networking dinner with robotics companies from Zhejiang Province.
- Day 4 — Wednesday 14 OctoberDaytime: visit robotics and automation companies (think of companies like Estun Automation, Tetrabot & JITRI Intelligent Manufacturing). Evening: reception of delegation together with the regional government, robotics industry alliance and regional robotics companies.
Suzhou – Shanghai
Focus on the integration of robotics in high-end manufacturing and Sino-Dutch cooperation.
- Day 5 — Thursday 15 OctoberDaytime: Company visits (think of companies like Bozhon Precision and Inovance Suzhou or Ecovacs). Evening: Sino-Dutch Robotics Seminar and dinner reception
- Day 6 — Friday 16 OctoberMorning: Business visits in the morning Afternoon: Transfer back to Shanghai Evening: Joint wrap-up session and farewell dinner
Return journey
- Day 7 — Saturday 17 OctoberTransfer to Shanghai Pudong International Airport and depart for Schiphol, Amsterdam.
* The programme is provisional. Company visits, amongst other things, will be arranged in consultation with participants, partners and the companies to be visited.
What can you expect?
- A one-to-one intake meeting with Jan Maas from the Brabant Development Agency (BOM) in June, July or August to concretise your company's needs.
- In September the reconnaissance trip kick-off meeting with
- Latest details on the programme
- Info on how to get the most out of visiting the CIIF exhibition
- Economic resilience
- Protection of intellectual property in China
- Business culture differences
- A collective fact-finding programme including a CIIF trade fair visit.
Participation fee
Shanghai
An indication of the participation fee is 1500 euros excluding VAT and applies to 1 person per company.
The exact participation fee will be announced in the second week of July.
These will never exceed the stated €1500 excluding VAT.
Included in this amount is:
- 1-op-1 intake conversation
- Participation in the collective programme
- Translators during business visits and simultaneous interpretation during networking events and dinners
- Access to relevant Chinese businesses
- Visit to China International Industry Fair (CIIF) 2026
- Local transfers to the programme components
- Lunches and dinners included in the final programme
- Physical kick-off meeting in the Netherlands
Personal travel, transport and accommodation costs, as well as other expenses (such as insurance), are at your own expense. The organiser will provide information on flights and, where possible, offer group hotel bookings at a corporate rate.
Fill in the form to register your interest in this entrepreneurial trip*. Upon reviewing the form, Jan Maas will contact you to schedule an intake appointment.
BOM reserves the right to admit or not admit irrelevant companies to participate.
Contact
For more information about this exploratory trip, please contact
Jan Maas
Project Manager International Business – China
E: jmaas@bom.nl
M: 0031 6 285 998 46
Booking your intake directly goes through Jan Maas.
