China Said to Block SoftBank-ABB Robotics Deal; Foreign Ministry Defers

At a regular press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun was asked by an AFP reporter about reports that China had told SoftBank Group it would not approve the Japanese conglomerate’s acquisition of ABB’s robotics business.

The reports said SoftBank recently learned that the National Development and Reform Commission, China’s top economic planning agency, would obstruct the transaction involving the robotics unit of ABB, the Swiss-Swedish industrial group. The reporter asked whether the Foreign Ministry could confirm the matter.

“I suggest you ask the competent Chinese authorities,” Guo said, without confirming or denying the reports. The ministry offered no further details on the deal’s regulatory status, the timing of any review, or whether the NDRC had formally notified the companies.

The brief exchange underscored the role of Chinese regulatory approval in large cross-border robotics and automation transactions. ABB’s robotics business is a major supplier of industrial robots and automation equipment.