Robots performing kung fu alongside human martial artists were a featured element of China’s annual Spring Festival television program, Chunwan, this year, marking a significant advancement in the nation’s robotics capabilities. The performance, broadcast Sunday, showcased robots running, jumping, and executing complex martial arts movements, a substantial upgrade from last year’s robotic appearances, according to a report from MBC News in Beijing.
Last year, robots on Chunwan primarily walked, waved, and passed handkerchiefs. This year’s display included robots spinning walnuts and folding clothes with one hand, integrated throughout the five-hour program, including in musical numbers and comedy skits. One robotic “actor” delivered a line, stating, “It wasn’t tough. I just kept scolding your grandson.”
Wang Xingsing, representative of the robot manufacturing company involved, explained that maintaining stability during complex formations, rapid movements, and martial arts routines translates to improved stability in everyday environments, such as homes. “If you can maintain stability through complex formation transformations, rapid movements, and martial arts movements, your stability will be much better in normal situations, such as at home or other environments,” Wang said.
The increased prominence of robots in Chunwan, which is viewed by over a billion people, is seen as a demonstration of China’s growing confidence in its robotics technology. The country’s humanoid robot industry is projected to exceed 20 billion yuan (approximately 4 trillion won) this year, and humanoid robots are expected to be a key focus of China’s 15th five-year economic plan, beginning this year.
This year’s Lunar New Year also coincides with the Year of the Horse – specifically, the Year of the Fire Horse, a rare occurrence that happens only once every 60 years. The Lunar New Year began on February 17th, 2026, marking the second new moon after the winter solstice. The Chinese calendar, a lunisolar system based on astronomical observations, dates back to the 14th century B.C. And influences calendars in Korea and Vietnam. Hundreds of millions of people are traveling across China during the 40-day Spring Festival period, with a record 9.5 billion trips expected, including 540 million by train and 95 million by air.
