At the recently wrapped-up Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 in Las Vegas, the U.S., Chinese companies once again emerged as some of the most visible and influential innovators on the global stage.

"China's presence at CES 2026 was widely noted across press coverage," observed Forbes, characterizing it as the first show where China, not Japan or South Korea, dominated the show.

According to industry sources, Chinese companies accounted for about a quarter of all exhibitors at CES 2026, making them the second largest group after the U.S.

The annual tech showcase — regarded as a barometer of global technology trends — featured an unprecedented presence of Chinese firms spanning robotics, AI hardware, intelligent vehicles, wearable tech and smart home solutions.

One of the most striking narratives at CES this year was the dominance of Chinese robotics companies, particularly in the humanoid sector.

Official CES figures show that Chinese companies made up the majority of exhibitors in the humanoid robotics category this year. Of the 38 companies participating, 21 were from China, including Fourier, Unitree and AgiBot, giving the country more than half of the total presence.

Shanghai-based company Fourier made its debut at this year's CES with its humanoid robot GR-3. GR-3, the company's first full-size "care-bot," is designed to open new possibilities in human-robot interaction through thoughtful design, advanced perception, and approachable intelligence. People can engage in natural conversation, touch-based interactions, or light, playful activities with the robot that demonstrate its ability to sense, understand, and respond.

From robots dealing blackjack to boxing opponents and running marathons, CES 2026 was a robotics spectacular, with nearly all of the standout innovations coming from Chinese companies, South Korea's Korea JoongAng Daily reported.

China filed 7,705 humanoid patents over the past five years, compared with 1,561 by the U.S., according to a report by Morgan Stanley in December.

"China is both the world's largest producer and consumer of robots, strategically deploying them to automate key manufacturing sectors, including electronics, automobiles and industrial machinery," a recent report by the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade said.

In addition to robotics, Chinese consumer electronics and AI hardware also drew considerable attention. Companies showcased augmented reality glasses, AI-enabled smart home devices, smart earbuds, wearable tech and more.

This reflects a broader shift: Chinese firms are increasingly emphasizing scenario-driven innovation, where technology is tightly integrated with user experiences across home, work and mobility.

International tech outlets reported that this year's show underscored China's growing role not just as a participant in global tech, but as a driver of innovation trends that resonate far beyond its home market.