China’s first fully autonomous 3v3 AI robot football match ends

The final of the ROBO League robot football tournament concluded on Saturday in Beijing, with Tsinghua University's Power Intelligent Team beating the Mountain-Sea Team from China Agricultural University 5:3 to win the championship.

This event served as the first test match for the upcoming 2025 World Humanoid Robot Sports Games and marked China's first-ever fully autonomous 3v3 AI robot football competition.

The ROBO League football showdown was a remarkable display of advanced robotic technology. Unlike traditional remote-controlled competitions, these humanoid players relied solely on AI-driven strategies. They showcased real-time decision-making, coordinated teamwork and even the ability to self-recover after falling. The optimized penalty system minimized interruptions, allowing the 1.2-to-1.5-meter-tall robots to execute fluid movements and well-orchestrated attacks, mimicking human football tactics.

"This competition is not only a domestic first, but also a window to bring robots closer to the general public and real-life scenarios. We hope this new format can foster cross-disciplinary exchange and inspire more technological innovation and enthusiasm," said Dou Jing, executive director of the tournament organizing committee.

The robotic football event builds on the momentum of April's historic half-marathon. In that event, 20 humanoid robot teams completed a 21.0975-kilometer course in Beijing's Daxing District. This was a world first, revealing significant progress in robotic endurance and environmental adaptation.

The stage is set for the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Sports Games, scheduled from August 15 to 17 in Beijing, which will be the first global sporting event dedicated solely to humanoid robots.

China’s first fully autonomous 3v3 AI robot football match ends

China’s first fully autonomous 3v3 AI robot football match ends

A Chinese military spokesperson on Friday urged the Philippine side to strictly control operations of its maritime and air troops, immediately cease all provocative and risky acts, and stop its smear campaigns and propaganda.

On March 25, Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy Ship (PLANS) 532 was conducting a routine patrol in the waters under China's jurisdiction near Zhubi Jiao of China's Nansha Qundao, according to Zhai Shichen, a spokesperson for the People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command.

Upon detecting a Philippine Navy ship, PLANS 532 initiated radio communications to remind the Philippine ship, said Zhai.

Ignoring repeated radio reminders from the Chinese side, the Philippine ship 507, navigating on the port side of PLANS 532, adjusted its course to the starboard side before making a deliberate turn to the same direction, dangerously approaching PLANS 532 and disrupting its navigation. PLANS 532 then took professional and standardized moves, successfully avoiding an accident, according to Zhai.

The spokesperson said that the operation of the Philippine Navy ship was unsafe and unprofessional, which could have easily led to a maritime accident. "Worse still, the Philippine side made a false accusation, claiming that the Chinese ship made a 'dangerous approach'," Zhai said.

"We sternly urge the Philippine side to strictly control operations of its maritime and air troops, immediately cease all provocative and risky acts, as well as its smear campaigns and propaganda," Zhai said.

The troops of the Southern Theater Command remain on high alert at all times and will resolutely defend China's territorial sovereignty, security, and peace and stability in the South China Sea, added the spokesperson.

China urges Philippine side to strictly control operations of maritime, air troops

China urges Philippine side to strictly control operations of maritime, air troops