Chinese humanoid robots perform martial arts on national TV gala

Humanoid robots perform martial arts on Chinese TV

Humanoid robots performed synchronized martial arts and backflips on China's most-watched television broadcast. The demonstration occurred during the annual China Media Group Spring Festival Gala, a Lunar New Year event viewed by hundreds of millions.

The robots executed complex choreography, including spins, jumps, and landing backflips on their knees. Their performance alongside human dancers represented a significant leap from previous years' broadcasts and quickly spread across Chinese social media.

A public display of technological strength

Analysts say the televised showcase is a deliberate strategy. "China uses these public performances to highlight its technological strength," said Kyle Chan of the Brookings Institution. Humanoid robots serve as highly visible proof of progress compared to software AI or factory machinery.

Chan argues this is a key area of competition. "While China and the US are neck-and-neck on AI, humanoid robots are an area where China can claim to be ahead of the US, particularly in terms of scaling up production."

This view is echoed by financial leaders. Mark Haefele, chief investment officer at UBS Global Wealth Management, recently contrasted China's focus on humanoid robots with U.S. ventures into AI companions, a remark widely interpreted as a jab at American priorities.

Backed by national strategy and scale

China's robotics push is supported by substantial industrial capacity and state planning. By the end of 2024, the country had registered 451,700 smart robotics companies with total capital reaching 6.44 trillion yuan.

Government initiatives explicitly prioritize the sector. Key national strategies driving this growth include:

• Made in China 2025: A manufacturing upgrade plan identifying robotics as a core industry.
• The 14th Five-Year Plan: The current economic blueprint which places AI and robotics at the center of national development.

Georg Stieler of Stieler Technology and Marketing said the gala demonstrated critical manufacturing and engineering prowess. The ability to run many near-identical robots in stable, synchronized motion indicates advanced coordination and the capacity for scale.

The global race for useful robots

The performance highlights a broader shift from research prototypes to potentially useful machines. Companies like Tesla, with its Optimus bot, and Figure AI, which recently partnered with BMW, are pursuing similar goals in the West.

However, China's integrated supply chains and manufacturing ecosystem provide a distinct advantage for rapid iteration and cost reduction. The ultimate goal for all players is to move humanoids from staged demonstrations to real-world applications in logistics, manufacturing, and elderly care.

The Spring Festival Gala act was more than entertainment; it was a statement of capability. As these platforms evolve, the competition will hinge on which country can first deploy them economically outside the laboratory and television studio.