China has gained global attention after unveiling a new generation of humanoid robots performing kung fu, parkour and choreographed dance routines during its annual spring gala – one of the world’s most watched televised events.
Videos of the broadcast, which aired on the national Lunar New Year, quickly spread across social media platforms, with many viewers expressing amazement at the balance, coordination and speed of the machines. A cultural mainstay watched by hundreds of millions, the gala is also seen as a key platform for showcasing national achievements.
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During the show, about two dozen humanoid robots performed synchronized martial arts sequences, complete with punches, kicks and flips. Some have been seen wielding nunchucks, jumping over obstacles and sprinting at speeds reportedly approaching nine miles per hour. The Chinese Embassy in Washington described the display as a demonstration of “precision, power and perfect balance”.
Watch the viral video here:
The robots were developed by Unitree, along with contributions from three other Chinese robotics companies – Galbot, Noetix and MagicLab – highlighting the depth of the country’s growing robotics ecosystem.
According to international media reports, the exhibition was intended not only as entertainment, but also as a signal of China’s expanding capabilities in advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence-driven automation. Compared to last year’s gala, where the robots’ movements seemed slower and less coordinated, this year’s performance marked a noticeable leap in technical sophistication.
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Unitree said it plans to ramp up production significantly, targeting 10,000 to 20,000 humanoid robots this year after selling about 5,500 units in 2024. The company’s CEO, Wang Xingxing, indicated that the robots are primarily aimed at industrial roles, such as working on assembly lines in car factories. Unitree is also said to be preparing to go public in Shanghai at an estimated value of about $7 billion.
Industry estimates suggest that China accounted for nearly 90% of the global humanoid robot market last year. The country’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has previously outlined plans to deploy thousands of humanoid robots in factories, farms and even homes as early as 2025, with significant improvements in capabilities expected by 2027.
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China’s rapid progress has attracted attention and concern around the world. Western analysts have warned that heavy reliance on Chinese robotics firms could create a dependency on the technology with both civilian and security applications. The US think tank Rand Corporation has warned that humanoid robots represent a critical dual-use technology. The US government’s 2024 report also pointed to Beijing’s support for the sector through subsidies, tax incentives and special development zones.
Beijing has not publicly outlined the military use of humanoid robots, and some Chinese military analysts have reportedly expressed reservations about deploying them in combat roles.
Meanwhile, American companies are also pushing into space, albeit on a smaller production scale. Tesla is developing its Optimus humanoid robot, with founder Elon Musk saying the company aims to eventually produce up to one million units a year.
For now, though, it’s China’s robots performing kung fu — mixing tradition, technology and spectacle — that have captured the imagination of social media.