German industrial group Siemens AG announced Thursday that it has entered into a partnership with Tsinghua University, one of Siemens' center of knowledge interchange universities, to jointly set up a robotics research center in Beijing.

"China's digital transformation is already having a profound impact on its economy. With Made in China 2025 and the Belt and Road Initiatives, China intends to upgrade its national industry and boost its global competence through digitalization-focused innovations," said Roland Busch, chief technology officer and member of the managing board of Siemens AG.

Siemens is investing heavily in the future of China and partnering with the country and many customers on its way to digitalization, he said.

The company said Siemens China will lead the firm's global research in autonomous robotics.

As part of the company's innovation strategy to master technology fields that are critical for future success, a global research community comprising experienced experts from around the world will focus on the research and development of new mechatronics systems, human-robot collaboration and the application of artificial intelligence in robotic controllers.

Siemens has also teamed up with a number of local governments and 87 local universities and technology institutes in China to conduct scientific research and develop talent.

"We're constructing an open, inclusive and trust-based innovation eco-system in China aimed at value co-creation in the digital age," said Lothar Herrmann, CEO Siemens Greater China. "Siemens is bringing the next generation of innovations to life for our customers and society, in China and the world."

China has become one of Siemens' largest R&D locations worldwide. In its fiscal year 2016 ended on September 30, 2016, Siemens had over 4,500 R&D researchers and engineers, 20 R&D hubs and more than 11,000 active patents and patent applications in China.