China Shows Off Nunchuck‑Wielding Humanoid Robots for Lunar New Year Gala

Published: 19 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

China has turned heads this Lunar New Year by starring a troupe of advanced humanoid robots in martial‑arts performances at the China Media Group’s Spring Festival Gala, one of the world’s most‑watched television events. The robots — developed by domestic AI and robotics firms such as Unitree Robotics, Galbot, Noetix and MagicLab — displayed impressive coordination, athleticism, and even weapon‑handling skills, including routines with nunchucks, staffs and swords that captivated audiences nationwide.

Dozens of machines executed synchronised kung‑fu sequences, back‑flips, dance moves and other acrobatic stunts in front of millions of viewers during the gala broadcast, showcasing a major leap in China’s robotics capabilities compared with earlier performances that featured simpler movements. Some robots vaulted over obstacles, performed complex balance transitions and even appeared in choreographed scenes alongside human performers, underlining the rapid pace of development in artificial intelligence and robot motion control.

The Spring Festival Gala is a prestigious cultural platform in China, comparable in viewership to major international sporting finals, and this year’s robot spectacle was widely interpreted as both entertainment and a strategic demonstration of technological progress. Analysts say the performance reflects Beijing’s ambition to integrate AI‑driven automation into manufacturing, entertainment and broader industrial sectors, amid global competition over robotics leadership.

The robots’ fluid movement, weapon‑wielding choreography and mixed routines of martial arts and traditional celebration drew both admiration and debate online. While many viewers applauded the technical achievement, some commentators questioned how close such stage‑driven demonstrations are to practical, real‑world robotic applications, such as factory work or service roles. Nonetheless, the display has helped solidify China’s reputation as a formidable force in humanoid robot innovation on the global stage.

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