Humanoid robots visit Beijing CBD as part of energy relay for world's first robot games

Several humanoid robots have recently visited the Beijing Central Business District as part of an "energy relay" for the upcoming 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games (WHRG).

The humanoid robots were tasked to collect energy by shopping for clothes, performing dances for shoppers at the China Central Mall, and dinning on a sightseeing bus to light up "energy cubes" fastened to their chests.

The energy cube is a diamond-shaped metal pendant, with a blue, multifaceted crystal embedded inside.

During the energy relay, which began at the Badaling section of the Great Wall in the northwestern suburbs of Beijing last Tuesday, the robots are supposed to carry these cubes to visit UNESCO World Heritage sites, dual-Olympic venues, and other iconic landmarks in Beijing.

Their journey will conclude on August 14 at the National Speed Skating Oval -- the main venue of the WHRG. There, the energy cubes will assemble into a "smart core" and will be lit up at the event's opening ceremony on the same day.

Initiated by China Media Group, the energy relay aims to demonstrate connectivity between human and technology, bringing cutting-edge technology to the public.

Following the 2025 World Robot Conference from August 8 to 12, the inaugural WHRG will take place from August 15 to 17 in Beijing.

As the world's first multi-sport competition for humanoid robots, the WHRG will feature main events to test the athletic and functional skills of robots in track and field, soccer, dance, handling materials, and medical sorting, as well as peripheral events like badminton, table tennis and basketball that emphasize entertainment and audience interaction.

Humanoid robots visit Beijing CBD as part of energy relay for world's first robot games

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with visiting German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in Beijing on Monday, to discuss relations between their two countries.

At the meeting, Han said that since the formation of Germany's new government, China and Germany have maintained high-level close interaction. In May this year, Han added, President Xi Jinping spoke with Chancellor Friedrich Merz over phone, providing strategic guidance for further deepening China-Germany relations.

Noting that China and Germany are important economic and trading partners which can achieve win-win results through mutually beneficial cooperation, Han said China is willing to work with Germany to deliver on the important common understandings reached between top leaders of the two countries, enhance communication and dialogue, and work to bring the China-Germany all-round strategic partnership to a new level.

Han said the Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests, and China hopes that the German side will abide by the one-China principle. China also expects Germany, as a core major country in the European Union, to play an active role in promoting healthy development of China-EU relations, Han noted.

Speaking on the same occasion, Wadephul said the new German government attaches great importance to developing ties with China and firmly adheres to the one-China policy.

Germany looks forward to closer high-level exchanges with China and deepened cooperation on all fronts, and is willing to be a reliable partner of cooperation with China, Wadephul said.

Chinese vice president meets German foreign minister on relations