BEIJING, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- China attaches great significance to research and application of robotics and hopes to see more international cooperation in this field, Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao said on Monday. "Countries should open up markets and share robotic technology for mutual benefit," Li said while addressing the opening ceremony of the World Robot Conference 2015, which will run until Wednesday in Beijing. Although China lags behind in research and development of state-of-the-art robotics, the country has a huge market with enormous potential, said the vice president. According to the International Federation of Robotics, 57,000 industrial robots were sold in China last year, a year-on-year increase of 55 percent, and a quarter of global sales. But China still has a far lower ratio of robots to workers than other major economies -- just 36 per 10,000 manufacturing workers, versus 478 in the Republic of Korea, 315 in Japan, 292 in Germany and 164 in the United States. "China, with a more open gesture, would like to welcome robot experts and entrepreneurs across the world to share knowledge and cooperate with us," said Li. Related: Full Text: Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao's opening remarks at the World Robot Conference 2015 BEIJING, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Following is the full text of the opening remarks of Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao at the World Robot Conference 2015 in Beijing on Monday. Full story Conference opens in Beijing as China embraces robotics revolution BEIJING, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- They can help with the housework and even kick around a football, but robots aren't coming for your jobs just yet. That was the reassurance from robot experts gathered at an international conference that kicked off in Beijing on Monday. The three-day event includes a forum, an exhibition and a robot contest for youth. Full story Advanced robots geared to cure loneliness BEIJING, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- With silky black hair and sparkling dark eyes, a beautiful woman in a yellow sweater was one of the star attractions during the 2015 World Robot Conference in Beijing. But unlike models found at an autoshow, the crowd was not attracted by her beauty. Instead they were drawn by the chance to chat with a life-like Japanese android. Full story
Li Yuanchao , the vice President of the People 's Republic of robots , said he hopes to see more international cooperation in the field of robots , in a speech at the annual World Robot Conference . Currently , China has one of the largest industrial robotic markets , but it falls behind in terms of research and development of new technologies . According to the International Federation of Robotics , China purchased 57,000 industrial robots last year , an increase of 55 % from the previous year , making up a quarter of global sales . Li explained " countries should open up markets and promote robotic technology for mutual benefit " and he welcomed robotic experts and entrepreneurs to share their expertise and to co - operate with others .