Design, manufacturing and assembly automation trends and strategies in China

Owing to the currently deepening economic crisis of the entire region, in the area of automation and industrial development, China is focusing on several strategic areas. These include developing its infrastructure, improving and repairing existing machinery and plants, focusing on research, development and education, to prepare itself for the challenges of the twenty‐first century. This article provides a strategic overview of recent and current development trends, as well as pointing out some of the major differences between the Chinese and the Western approaches to design, manufacturing, assembly, automation and related support systems.