The historic Shanhai Pass -- one of the most easternmost bastions on China's Great Wall -- presents an unlikely cultural mashup with traditional lion dance performed by robotic dog dancers on Thursday -- the first day of the ongoing five-day May Day holiday in China.
The "Wisdom Dance of Lions" show at the Old Dragon's Head scenic spot of Shanhai Pass, where the Great Wall dips into the Bohai Sea, featured a pack of robotic lions dancing in sync with human lion dancers, drew thousands of tourists during the holiday season.
Four "mechanic lions" powered by artificial intelligence (AI) can respond to hand gestures from curious children via sensors.
"I get to feel the charm of the most cutting-edge technology on this old Great Wall pass. The May Day holiday is well worth it," said Zhu Zhi, a tourist from east China's Jiangxi Province.
The Shanhai Pass tourist attraction authorities have also brought about other colorful and innovative activities to celebrate the five-day holiday of the International Workers' Day, including live battle drum performance, ancient style naked-eye 3D night tour, and light shows.
The Shanhai Pass, located in north China's Hebei Province, is the eastern end of the country's Great Wall known as the "First Pass Under Heaven". It was listed as a World Heritage Site as part of the Great Wall by UNESCO in 1987.
Robot dogs join holiday joy as mini "lion-dancers"
Robot dogs join holiday joy as mini "lion-dancers"
Robot dogs join holiday joy as mini "lion-dancers"
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
