‘They don’t need people’: The workers left behind by China’s robot drive

China's shift from low-cost manufacturing to advanced robotics and technology could leave tens of millions of workers without jobs, highlighting a significant economic transition. As factories increasingly automate, many laborers face unemployment, raising concerns about social stability and economic inequality. This shift not only affects individual livelihoods but also has broader implications for China's economic strategy and its global manufacturing competitiveness. The transition underscores the urgent need for retraining and social support systems to manage this workforce disruption.