Robots perform sophisticated human movements as Beijing sends a message to the world.

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

Known as chunwan, the Gala has aired on state broadcaster CCTV since 1983 and remains China’s most-watched television event, a Chinese New Year staple for hundreds of millions of households. By midnight, this year’s broadcast drew 677 million viewers across platforms.

As the new year begins and all things renew, on the stage of the 2026 Spring Festival Gala of China Media Group, Unitree Robotics made its third appearance as the official robot partner of the Gala. Bringing its G1 and H2 humanoid robots,

Chinese companies have made significant advancements in humanoid robotics, showcased at a recent event in Yiwu. Featured companies, including Unitree Robotics and MagicLab, demonstrated robots performing impressive stunts such as martial arts routines and complex dance moves.

A viral video from China's Shaolin Temple showcases humanoid robots practicing Kung fu alongside monks, blending ancient martial arts with modern AI. Developed by Shanghai-based AgiBot, these robots are designed for real-world tasks.