Taizhou accelerates push into future industries

Hotel service robots manufactured by Keenon Robotics in Taizhou. [Photo/WeChat account: tzfabu]

Taizhou is stepping up efforts to position itself at the forefront of future industries, with a clear strategy and strong investment focus on artificial intelligence, deep-sea and space technologies, and synthetic biology.

The city is prioritizing practical AI applications to address real-world industrial challenges. One standout example is Keenon Robotics, whose Taizhou-based operation has rapidly expanded since its launch. According to production manager Wang Lei, the company now holds about 60 percent of the global market share in hotel service robots. It has delivered more than 10,000 robots from its Taizhou facility. The company aims to serve as a key industry anchor, attracting upstream and downstream partners to cluster in the city.

Investment plays a pivotal role in building the ecosystem. Since 2025, Taizhou's municipal angel investment fund has supported 11 key projects across the AI value chain, helping three high-growth companies establish operations locally.

To strengthen coordination, Taizhou has established new industry chambers and alliances focused on artificial intelligence, fostering collaboration between traditional manufacturers and AI innovators.

Beyond AI, the city is making steady progress in deep-sea, underground, and aerospace industries. By the end of 2025, Taizhou was home to 32 major companies in these sectors, generating a combined output value of 7.28 billion yuan ($1.06 billion), up 2.6 percent year-on-year.

Synthetic biology is emerging as another key growth engine. Companies such as Mabtech and QL Biopharm are developing next-generation antibody drugs and vaccines. Meanwhile, Nestle Health Science has introduced China's first tumor-specific complete nutrition formula food, opening a new segment in specialized medical nutrition.

A laboratory of a synthetic biology firm in Taizhou. [Photo/WeChat account: tzfabu]

Taizhou now hosts 32 synthetic biology enterprises, and the sector is delivering tangible growth. From January to October 2025, the city's synthetic biology industry generated 2.75 billion yuan in output, an 11 percent increase over the same period last year.

With coordinated investment, scientific support, and strong industrial participation, Taizhou is rapidly transforming emerging technologies into real economic momentum and positioning itself as a rising hub for next-generation innovation.