Chinese robotics manufacturer Unitree made a highly anticipated debut on Shanghai's Star Market on Wednesday, with its shares surging by more than 600% on the first day of trading. The listing marks a significant milestone for Beijing's drive to establish China as a global leader in robotics and artificial intelligence, an industry increasingly seen as strategically vital amid intensifying competition with the United States.

Shares in the firm opened at 1,100 yuan (£120.60), far exceeding the 150.8 yuan offer price. Founded in Hangzhou in 2016, Unitree makes robotic dogs, arms and humanoid machines, and has undercut US rivals such as Boston Dynamics on price while Tesla and other Western firms have yet to bring competing humanoid products to market. The company has also drawn attention through a marketing push featuring its robots, including participation in this week's 2026 World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, with analysts noting robotics could help address labour shortages linked to China's ageing population.