Singapore companies exploring expansion into China are advised to focus on burgeoning sectors like smart technology, advanced manufacturing, and the green economy, according to Enterprise Singapore. As China remains a vast and growing market with robust manufacturing and innovation networks, it offers significant potential to help local firms innovate and scale.
- China accounts for 60% of global industrial robot installations.
- Sustainability is a key focus under China’s 15th Five-Year Plan.
- Singapore firms benefit from China’s supply chains and large customer base.
What happened
Enterprise Singapore encourages local companies to explore growth sectors in China such as smart technology, advanced manufacturing, and the green economy. The vastness of China’s market and its robust manufacturing and R&D capabilities provide Singapore businesses with opportunities to enhance their products, lower costs, and scale internationally. The agency's representative highlighted that China's continuing growth offers substantial openings for firms with innovative solutions and clear value propositions.
Two Singapore companies already making strides in China include Xnergy and SP Group. Xnergy, specializing in contactless charging technology for autonomous robots, benefits from China’s booming robotics industry, with China installing 354,000 industrial robots in 2025 alone. SP Group is expanding its district cooling network in China as part of the country's sustainability push, which aligns with China’s plan to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
Why it feels good
The prospect of tapping into one of the world’s largest robotics markets offers exciting possibilities for Singapore enterprises. Xnergy’s experience highlights how Shanghai’s well-established suppliers and vast customers enable rapid innovation and scaling. This synergy supports not only technological advancement but also broadens Singapore’s export horizons beyond the region into markets like South Korea, Japan, and the United States.
Moreover, China’s commitment to a greener economy opens up promising avenues for companies focused on sustainability. As China prioritizes power efficiency, renewable energy, and carbon services, Singapore firms can contribute and benefit from this expanding ecosystem. The cross-border collaboration enriches the innovation landscape, creating positive economic and environmental incentives for firms involved.
What to enjoy or watch next
Industry watchers can look forward to observing Singapore companies scaling their production and expanding marketing efforts in China’s dynamic environment. Xnergy’s plan to increase production drastically over the coming years will be a key indicator of successful technological adoption and industrial collaboration between the two nations. Following their growth may offer lessons on international scaling and innovation in smart manufacturing.
Additionally, advancements in sustainable infrastructure projects like SP Group’s district cooling in Guangzhou represent a growing trend aligning technology with environmental goals. Future developments in this space, spurred by China’s ambitious 15th Five-Year Plan and carbon neutrality targets, will be essential to watch. They will reveal how Singaporean expertise can further integrate with China’s green economy and beyond.