Global investors descend on China’s Shenzhen to ride wave of AI and robotics opportunities

Shenzhen, a southern Chinese city renowned for its tech innovators, including Huawei Technologies and drone pioneer DJI, has become a magnet for global investors captivated by the country's artificial intelligence and robotics sectors. Three major international financial institutions – HSBC, UBS, and Nomura – convened investor conferences in the city to discuss the burgeoning opportunities in AI, robotics, and other emerging technologies.

David Liao, HSBC's co-CEO for Asia and the Middle East, highlighted the city's potential at the bank's 13th annual China Conference, noting that "robotics, AI, and innovative medicines have emerged as new trends in China’s exports. In particular, China’s AI infrastructure supply chain is set to create fresh growth opportunities for global businesses and investors."

With over 1,500 global business leaders, executives, and investors in attendance, HSBC's two-day event underscored Asia’s continued role as a key hub for AI exports. Shenzhen, a leading innovation hub, is home to internet giant Tencent Holdings and electric-vehicle leader BYD, as well as up-and-coming tech firms such as UBTech Robotics, which have attracted significant market attention.

UBS, another major financial institution, reported a record 125 companies at its 23rd China A-Share Conference, attended by over 1,000 guests from Europe, the US, and the Middle East. Thomas Fang, head of China global markets at UBS, emphasized that "technology, particularly artificial intelligence, is a key investment theme in the A-share market this year," and praised China's AI supply chain as reshaping global competition through cost efficiency driven by targeted research and development, innovative model architecture, and open-source collaboration.

Nomura's China Investor Forum, running from Monday to Tuesday, attracted 500 delegates comprising 400 institutional investors and more than 50 companies, further underscoring the region's appeal for global investors eyeing opportunities in China's AI and robotics sectors ahead of the November Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Economic Leaders’ Meeting.