People visit Hannover Messe 2026 in Hannover, Germany, April 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Haofu)

Hannover Messe 2026, Germany's flagship industrial trade fair, opened on Monday with industrial artificial intelligence (AI) and humanoid robots taking center stage.

HANNOVER, Germany, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Hannover Messe 2026, Germany's flagship industrial trade fair, opened on Monday with industrial artificial intelligence (AI) and humanoid robots taking center stage for the first time.

Held under the theme "Think Tech Forward," the five-day event has attracted around 2,900 exhibitors from more than 50 countries and regions.

Chinese companies maintain a strong presence at the fair, with approximately 700 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany, according to the organizer.

Addressing the opening ceremony on Sunday evening, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that AI is "profoundly reshaping economic activity," particularly in the industrial sector, where it can boost productivity, optimize resource use, and reduce costs, thereby enhancing competitiveness.

People visit Hannover Messe 2026 in Hannover, Germany, April 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Haofu)

He added that Germany aims to double its computing capacity by 2030 compared with 2025 levels and plans to increase investment in key technologies such as microelectronics, quantum computing, and electrification.

First held in 1947, Hannover Messe has developed into one of the world's leading platforms for industrial technology.

Among Chinese exhibitors, AI and robotics companies are a major highlight this year, showcasing applications ranging from AI-powered factory automation to humanoid robots.

A man tries a racing simulator at Hannover Messe 2026 in Hannover, Germany, April 20, 2026.(Xinhua/Zhang Haofu)

AI is expected to play a central role in China's broader development plans through 2030, supported by policies that prioritize its advancement, according to an article published on the organizer's website. The technology is helping drive the country's industrial modernization by enabling the digitalization of manufacturing and the upgrading of production processes to more advanced levels.