A special “waiter” came to Zhongnanhai, an office compound of the Chinese central authorities at the heart of Beijing, on Aug. 21. Though “he” is not tall, the “waiter” can take the task of serving food and introducing restaurant and special dishes in fluent Mandarin. Moreover, “he” always smiles and never complains. The “waiter” is a robot independently developed by China.

The robot, along with spacecraft parts and medical instruments made by 3D printing technology appeared at a State Council meeting on the development of the country's advanced manufacturing on that day.

Chinese premier Li Keqiang attended the meeting. “The premier asked many question in the meeting,” said Lu Bingheng, the only academician specializing in 3D printing technology in Chinese Academy of Engineer. At the meeting, Lu introduced the current situation of China's advanced manufacturing and the world's 3D printing technologies.

China's manufacturing should become high-end and more intelligent through nationwide start-ups and innovation, said Premier Li. He called for more use of 3D printing technology as well as high-end machine tools and industrial robots in order to attract more consumers, expand market demand and maintain sustainable development.