Back-flipping, nunchuck-weilding humanoid robots delighted and amazed viewers at China’s annual televised new-year extravaganza with their kung-fu choreography. But they – and their rivals who took to the stage Monday night – also carried a message about just how rapidly Chinese androids are advancing.

At this year's CMG Spring Festival Gala, the world's most-watched television broadcast, four Chinese robotics powerhouses, namely Unitree, MagicLab, Galbot and Noetix, debuted their most advanced units to date. For the robotics industry, this was far more than a cultural performance; it was a high-stakes global product launch.

Humanoid robots developed by Unitree Robotics performed kung fu and backflips during China's 2026 Lunar New Year broadcast.

Galbot's humanoid robot G1 passes a bottle of water to actor Shen Teng. Photo: Screenshot from CCTV 2026 Spring Festival Gala

China’s Spring Festival Gala showcased humanoid robots performing kung fu, dance and acrobatics, highlighting rapid advances in robotics and AI. The performances sparked concerns over China’s manufacturing ambitions,

China has unveiled a new generation of robots performing kung fu in an effort to showcase its technological might to the West.

Developed by several Chinese robotics firms, the robots performed a range of intricate stunts, including kung fu, comedy sketches and choreographed dance moves alongside human performers.

MirrorMe Technology's Bolt became the fastest running humanoid robot demonstrated outside computer simulations when it reached a top speed of 22 mph.

China’s birth rate has hit a historic low – deepening fears of a major economic shock in the decades to come as the country’s massive labor force dwindles and its population of pension-drawing retirees swells.