Humanoid robots will not lead to mass unemployment or replace human labor, a Chinese official has assured, amid the country’s rapid push into robotics and artificial intelligence.

Liang Liang, deputy director of the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, emphasized in an interview with foreign media on Friday that China sees robots as tools to enhance productivity, not threats to human jobs.

“We don’t believe robots will make people unemployed,” Liang said. “They’ll boost efficiency or take on tasks humans are unwilling or unable to do – like exploring the vast universe or the ocean depths where people can’t go. Machines can assist us in that exploration.”

He added that humanoid robots could work through the night while humans rest, ultimately contributing to better, more affordable, and user-friendly products. “We see this as the direction for our future development,” Liang said.

His comments come as China ramps up state funding and support for robotics research and deployment, with hubs like the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area playing a central role.

To demonstrate the complementary role of humans and machines, Liang pointed to last month’s world-first robot half-marathon held in Beijing. The event featured two parallel tracks—one for humans and one for robots—symbolizing cooperation rather than competition between man and machine.

“In the marathon, humans pushed their physical limits on one track, while machines jointly tested theirs on another,” he said. “They aren’t trying to take over the human course. The future will be like this too.”

Liang spoke at the headquarters of X-Humanoid, a state-backed robotics firm also known as the Beijing Humanoid Robotics Innovation Centre. The company’s Tiangong Ultra robot won the half-marathon, reaching a top speed of 12 km/h (7.56 mph).

X-Humanoid also showcased robots capable of adapting to obstacles and changing conditions. In one demonstration, a robot persistently completed a task despite repeated interference, a self-corrective ability the center believes is essential for real-world applications.

The remarks come as part of China’s broader effort to reassure the public and the international community about the role of AI and robotics in the future workforce.