As the Zhongguancun Forum, China's national-level global forum on science and technology, opened in Beijing on the 25th, a proposal emerged that South Korea and China should cooperate to resolve bottlenecks in core parts and materials that are blocking the commercialization of physical artificial intelligence (AI). Experts from both countries agreed that, based on complementary industrial structures, the two sides should usher in the era of physical AI through joint research, standardization, and demonstration cooperation.

The 2026 Korea–China Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Forum was held at the Zhongguancun Exhibition Center on the 26th. The forum's theme is Korea–China physical AI technology innovation. It was co-hosted by the Korea Innovation Center (KIC China), the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), and the China Science and Technology Exchange Center. More than 300 policy and technology experts and corporate officials from both countries gathered, and from Korea, President Park Yun-kyu of the Korea Information & Communication Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA) led a delegation of more than 100 participants.

A panel discussion is underway at the Korea–China Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Forum held in Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing, on the 26th. From left: Zhang Zhang, Chairman of the Beijing International Technology Transfer Alliance; Shin Sang-yeol, Science and Technology Information and Communication Officer; Sun Mingjun, Director of the Zhongguancun ZYong AI Institute; Baek Eun-hye, Research Professor at Tsinghua University; Ying Yufei, Deputy Director of the Zhongguancun ZYU Institute; and Song Tao, CEO of Tianjin Atongmu Robot. /Courtesy of Lee Eun-young, Beijing Correspondent

Physical AI is a technology that combines large AI models with physical systems such as robots, mobility, and manufacturing so they can perceive, judge, and act in real-world environments. While existing chatbot-centered AI has remained in the digital realm, physical AI is characterized by AI extending into the real world of manufacturing, logistics, and services.

In a keynote, KIC Director Kim Jong-mun emphasized the importance of cooperation between Korea and China in core components. Kim said, "To mass-produce robots at low cost and high quality, we must solve core technologies such as high-performance robot hands, various sensors, high-performance inertial measurement units, and high-density batteries. These core components are very important elements in robot systems," adding, "But the current global supply chain does not sufficiently support demand."

Kim continued, "The second challenge is special materials. Alloy materials used in precision reducers, materials for high-density electronic consolidation and circuits, and strategic key materials needed for system integration still face supply constraints and are causing technical and industrial bottlenecks."

Kim said, "These challenges are also the greatest opportunities," and added, "Korea and China have complementary structures across the entire industrial ecosystem, including core components, materials, devices, and applications. If the two countries strengthen cooperation, they can accelerate the upgrading of industrial structures and the shift to urbanization."

Kim Jong-moon, Head of the KIC Center, delivers a keynote speech at the Korea–China Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Forum held in Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing, on the 26th. /Courtesy of Lee Eun-young, Beijing Correspondent

In the following panel discussion, Yin Yufei, deputy director of the Zhongguancun Zhiyou Research Institute, said of the direction of bilateral cooperation, "One side has strengths in the market and application sites, and the other has strengths in manufacturing capabilities and industrial foundations," adding, "By combining these strengths, we can create synergy." Yin added, "We can also pursue exchanges and cooperation in core hardware and semiconductors, application environments, and intellectual property (IP)."

Tsinghua University research professor Baek Eun-hye also said, "If we build a joint testing (verification) environment for technology and create the same evaluation criteria, it will become a practical way of cooperation that allows us to share understanding of each other's technologies as well as data and experience values."

At the forum, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed among KIC, the China Science and Technology Exchange Center, and the Zhongguancun Zhiyou Research Institute. These institutions plan to consolidate the Korea–China science and technology innovation ecosystem and operate a standing exchange platform to provide close support so that entrepreneurs from both countries can generate tangible business outcomes.

At the event, 11 Korea–China corporations in the physical AI field held IR sessions and showcased their technologies. From Korea, seven companies participated: AIDALL, Robigos, CONNECTEVE, AI Works, Colosseum, Hypernology, and ESEN.

Lin Xin, vice minister at China's Ministry of Science and Technology, said, "The Chinese government has designated physical AI as one of six future industries. The Korean government has also formed the National AI Strategy Committee, chaired by President Lee Jae-myung," adding, "Let's ensure that the fruits of cooperation provide practical benefits to the peoples of both countries."

Park Yun-kyu, president of the Korea Information & Communication Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA), also said, "A meeting of the Korea–China Joint Committee on Science and Technology is being pursued in May. I hope this trend will proceed actively," adding, "Korea and China should enable the entire world to benefit beyond the interests of the two countries."

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