China marks Lunar New Year with Martial Arts performances by robots

BEIJING: Humanoid robots powered by artificial intelligence (AI) have captured public attention during China’s 2026 Lunar New Year celebrations, showcasing martial arts movements as part of the country’s annual televised festivities. The performance was featured in China’s New Year programme, held to mark the Lunar New Year and widely regarded as one of the most-watched television broadcasts in the world. The AI-equipped robots demonstrated coordinated and complex martial arts routines, drawing widespread interest from audiences. The display comes as China has made notable advances in artificial intelligence and robotics in recent years. Chinese humanoid robots are increasingly capable of executing sophisticated movements and collaborating with humans across a range of sectors. The 2026 Chinese New Year is based on the 12-animal zodiac cycle. The festival, also known as the Spring Festival, is traditionally celebrated with family gatherings, fireworks, and the exchange of gifts.