HKTDC lifts export forecast on AI demand, MIIT pushes AI+manufacturing, and factory robots hit 5M as humanoid hype cools: three signals for Hong Kong traders
This page is a short English teaser. The approved news digest is published in Traditional Chinese.
- Hong Kong (28 Sep 2026): The Hong Kong Trade Development Council revised its 2026 merchandise export growth forecast to 42%–47% on stronger-than-expected demand for AI-related products, after a June midyear lift to 20% from an earlier 8–9%. Its third-quarter exporter survey still showed strong, optimistic confidence. China Daily Asia (25 Sep, updated 26 Sep) reported August goods exports up 53% year on year to HK$667.9 billion — the 19th straight month of double-digit growth, per the government — with electrical machinery up 62.6% and office machines / automatic data-processing machines more than doubling. Geopolitical and shipping-cost risks remain.
- Mainland China (18 Sep 2026): MIIT party and cadre meetings stressed high-quality development and security, a new round of key manufacturing-chain upgrades, and the 「人工智能+製造」 action: next-generation smart manufacturing, green factories, service-oriented manufacturing, and advanced manufacturing clusters. For Hong Kong and Pearl River Delta traders, upstream OEM clients will keep asking for faster spec confirmation, digital traceability, and consistent quote and lead-time answers — not a full industrial large language model tomorrow.
- Worldwide (29 Sep 2026, citing IFR): Euronews reported the global operational stock of industrial robots at about 5.08 million in 2025 (+9%), with 603,000 installations (+11%). China installed about 354,000 (around 59% of the global total); the United States about 38,500, now second. EU stock reached 712,000, but new installations fell 11%. Only about 7,000 humanoids were sold last year for industrial or professional use; many were for AI training data, and car-plant pilots often run fewer than 10 units. Conventional industrial robots and structured factory automation are still where the economics work.
- The practical question for mid-size traders is quote speed and explainable lead times when customers change specs or lines — not humanoid demo reels. A light pilot is enough to start. Funding approval is not guaranteed.
Read the full Traditional Chinese article
Sources: SCMP (28 Sep 2026) · China Daily Asia (25–26 Sep 2026) · National Business Daily / MIIT (18 Sep 2026) · Euronews (29 Sep 2026) · IFR (24 Sep 2026)
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