The Linked-In Effect

Taichi masters with rhythmic precision, a chess virtuoso locked in intense mental duels, a salesperson who unfailingly reads social cues and presents a business card at just the right moment, a towering figure designed for heavy labor and even a black-clad warrior capable of somersaults and headstands—at first glance, it might sound like a cast of sci-fi characters. But these stars share one very real trait: They’re all humanoid robots.

From July 16 to 20 in Beijing, over 20 humanoid robots, developed by companies based in the central Chinese province of Hubei, came together as a “dream team” at the Third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE).

But the spotlight wasn’t just on the robots themselves. Around them, the key components that power these machines also took center stage. From tactile sensors nicknamed “electronic skin,” demonstrated by a robotic arm tenderly picking up a piece of tofu, to full-body motion capture systems, AI operating platforms, navigation chips and precision bearings, the exhibits unveiled the inner workings of the humanoid robotics industry.

Altogether, more than 20 up- and downstream companies came together to form the Hubei Humanoid Robotics Supply Chain Pavilion. With 89 products on display, it was the only dedicated humanoid robotics zone at this year’s CISCE, and one of the busiest areas on the entire show floor.

Group participation like the Hubei humanoid robotics team, where supply chain partners jointly exhibit their products, was one of the major highlights at this year’s CISCE.

The CISCE is designed for industrial matchmaking. Ren Hongbin, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), host of the annual CISCE, said at the opening ceremony, “This year’s edition puts greater emphasis on helping companies find partners, applications and solutions.”

Yang Mi, Director of the General Office of the CCPIT, underscored the long-term vision, “CISCE isn’t about chasing short-term deals. It’s about building lasting connections. Exhibitors here aren’t rivals—they’re teammates.”

Discovering teammates

“Some of our self-developed products are on par with global standards, and many are exported overseas. But we’ve always stayed behind the scenes—focusing on research and development and production, relying on a very traditional approach to marketing. Our sales team would cold-call or visit potential clients one by one,” Ning Jiaojiao, a representative of Hubei Siwete Transmission Co. Ltd. (SWT), which produces precision reducers, a key part of humanoid robot joints, told Beijing Review. “We’re seeking new ways to build visibility in the industry and elevate our brand.”

At CISCE, the entire supply chain is presented as a whole. Visitors can intuitively grasp how each piece connects. “For us, it is also a rare opportunity to discover up- and downstream partners, see where they’re headed, and align ourselves accordingly,” she added.

The companies in the Hubei humanoid robotics pavilion were brought together under the initiative of the CCPIT’s Hubei branch.

Lu Baoguo, who works for the international exhibition department at the CCPIT’s Hubei branch, said the intent of this effort was threefold: to help emerging enterprises build reliable links across the supply chain and accelerate integration into both domestic and global ecosystems; to shine a spotlight on so-called “invisible champions,” innovative companies quietly leading in their niche fields; and to help position Hubei as a rising hub for humanoid robotics.

“Even the most advanced humanoid robot makers cannot rely solely on in-house development. They may develop some components,” Ning said. “But many of the core parts—especially high-precision ones—come from specialized suppliers. If a company tried to do everything internally, the costs would be enormous and the complexity unmanageable. Collaboration across the chain is essential.”

Lu agreed, adding that a healthy supply chain ecosystem doesn’t just improve efficiency—it enhances resilience, breaks down information silos and enables coordinated innovation. By sharing resources and aligning development goals, the whole chain becomes more competitive and more capable of withstanding disruption.

“But to get there, the companies involved need to shift their mindset. Stop worrying about being surpassed. Move beyond closed-door development and start building networks. Major platforms like CISCE offer exactly that opportunity—channels for communication, trust and partnership,” Lu added.

Baking a bigger cake

Just a short walk from the buzzing Hubei humanoid robotics pavilion, another crowd gathered around U.S. tech giant Apple’s booth. For the third year in a row, Apple brought along its key Chinese suppliers—Sunwoda, Shandong Innovation Group and Justech—to demonstrate the latest in intelligent and green manufacturing.

Sunwoda, an Apple partner since 2012, featured its maglev conveyor production line and a digital twin model of its lithium-ion battery factory. Shandong Innovation, a long-time supplier of aluminum materials for Apple, highlighted its closed-loop system for recycled aluminum. Justech, which has provided automation equipment for Apple since 2008, introduced its green manufacturing solutions and other cutting-edge technologies.

Apple’s relationship with suppliers goes far beyond procurement. It’s about mutual growth through shared innovation, Isabel Ge Mahe, Apple’s Vice President and Managing Director for Greater China, told reporters.

One notable innovation, developed jointly by Apple and Shandong Innovation, is equipment that can extract aluminum with over 95 percent purity from plastic-contaminated aluminum shavings—a process now used in the production of Mac Mini components.

Inspired by the collaboration, Shandong Innovation now plans to expand its green manufacturing practices to other sectors such as automotive parts and electrical wiring.

Apple’s goal is to reach carbon neutrality across its entire supply chain by 2030. The progress its Chinese suppliers are making in renewable energy adoption and recycled materials will be fundamental to achieving that, according to Ge.

For the suppliers themselves, being part of Apple’s showcase is a stamp of credibility and a gateway to broader recognition. “Apple’s trust in our products and services sends a strong message,” a representative from Shandong Innovation told Beijing Review.

“Apple’s commitment to excellence and pursuit of high standards have deeply shaped how we operate. Over more than a decade of collaboration, we’ve developed the capabilities to uphold those standards and the confidence to extend them to new partnerships,” he said.

For Shandong Innovation, this year marked their first time at CISCE. In the past, they mainly attended aluminum industry expos. But with growing interest in global markets, the company is also seeking international-facing platforms, the representative added.

“At CISCE, we also met companies in robotics, precision manufacturing, and other emerging industries—many of which are now exploring aluminum as an alternative to steel or other traditional materials,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for us.”

Apple wasn’t the only brand to showcase its own supply chain. McDonald’s China returned for its second year at CISCE, debuting its “McChain” concept alongside 11 of its core suppliers, including China’s fast food chain Yum China.

“End-to-end coordination is the key to a resilient supply chain,” said McDonald’s China Chief Supply Chain Officer Shi Yun. “From farms to tables, our network touches agriculture, industrial manufacturing, logistics and restaurant operations. These suppliers are foundational to our success in China.”

At Yum China’s booth, a variety of durian-based products turned heads—and tempted palates. The story behind them began at last year’s CISCE, where the company first connected with a Thai durian supplier. The relationship took off, and the latter is now a formal part of Yum China’s supplier network. “We’ve learned how to standardize for global markets,” a representative of the Thai supplier said.

This year, Yum China is doubling down, expanding its supplier network and exploring new supply chain models.

Whether it’s electronics or salads, CISCE has become a unique arena for forging deep and strategic links among upstream, midstream and downstream players.