High-tech dancing robot returns to stage to amuse audiences at Lantern Festival Gala

A member of the humanoid robot dancing team which caught the attention of global audiences during the recent Spring Festival Gala with a captivating folk dance performance made a surprise return to the stage on Wednesday during the Lantern Festival Gala.

Hosted by China Media Group (CMG), the gala boasted a star-studded lineup and delivered a high-tech visual-audio feast to celebrate the Lantern Festival, which landed on Wednesday this year.

The gala saw the return of the one of robots who previously starred during the CMG's Spring Festival Gala, which was held on the eve of the Chinese New Year last month.

This time, the robot made an amusing entrance to the stage with one of the show's hosts comically mimicking its walking style.

In a brief interaction, the robot sought to teach the hosts how to perform the party trick of the "handkerchief spin", a signature move in the traditional Yangge dance previously demonstrated by the robot dancers, and one which typically requires great skill and practice for a performer to perfect.

With the gala presenters seemingly unable to execute the complex trick, the robot instead made a funny gesture by appearing to wipe its brow with the handkerchief, indicting it was tired of the human hosts, much to the delight of the audience.

The Lantern Festival, observed on the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar, falls on Feb 12 this year, and marks the conclusion of the country's Spring Festival celebrations, which center around the Chinese New Year.

First broadcast in 1985, this year's Lantern Festival Gala again staged a whole host of entertaining variety performances including energetic song and dances, comedy sketches, as well as traditional operas and magic shows, highlighting China's unique cultural charm.

High-tech dancing robot returns to stage to amuse audiences at Lantern Festival Gala

More than a month ahead of the Chinese New Year, restaurants across China have reported a booming demand for reunion dinners, with popular places already fully reserved.

The family reunion dinners on the eve of the Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, is the most important meal of the year for Chinese people. It has long been an essential part of celebrating the Chinese New Year. This year, the festival falls on Feb 17.

In Taiyuan, capital city of north China's Shanxi Province, one restaurant said all tables for the Chinese New Year's Eve dinner have been reserved.

"We now have 36 private rooms and 13 tables in the hall. The New Year's Eve dinner is fully booked. Many families started reserving as early as November 2025," said Han Huiyan, a restaurant manager.

To meet the demand, many restaurants start to offer takeaway banquet package that can be easily prepared at home, allowing families to enjoy a variety of festive dishes without dining out.

In Ningbo, a city in east China's Zhejiang Province, many popular restaurants said that they are approaching full reservation levels. To reduce peak demand, some restaurants now offer off-peak reunion dinners starting later at night.

"We now offer a 'second round' of New Year's Eve dinners, which start at 19:30. We also offer discount for such New Year's Eve dinners, a promotion of 20 percent off set menus," said Sun Lijuan, a restaurant manager.

In Lianyungang, a city in east China's Jiangsu Province, smaller private rooms of a local restaurant have been nearly sold out, and customized menus and home-delivery services have drawn strong interest.

"This year we have specially launched the Chinese New Year's Eve dinner delivery service. Bookings are very strong and customers really like this option," said Geng Maoran, a restaurant general manager.

Restaurants see surge in bookings for Chinese New Year's Eve dinners