Humanoid robots train intensively for historic games in Beijing

Final preparations are underway in Beijing in anticipation of the historic inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, scheduled to open on Thursday at the iconic National Speed Skating Oval, also known as the "Ice Ribbon", in the Chinese capital city.

With just days to go, the organizing committee opened the doors to media for a preview of the robots in action, showcasing the participating robots' intense daily training sessions, including coordinated football drills.

To support the landmark event, a dedicated training base, dubbed "The Panda Eye", has been constructed adjacent to the Olympic venue.

Located in the sunken plaza west of the "Ice Ribbon", the facility features a 32-meter-diameter dome rising 12 meters high. Its name comes from the hemispherical design, which resembles a giant panda's eye when paired with surrounding architectural elements.

Featuring 280 teams from 16 countries and regions, including China, the United States and Germany, the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games will see more than 500 humanoid robots, spanning over 100 models from top global manufacturers, compete in a pioneering blend of physical agility, intelligent decision-making and advanced engineering.

"This is a comprehensive sports event with humanoid robots as the main competitors. While we've previously seen humanoid robots participate in individual events, such as football or boxing matches, this is the first time globally for a multi-disciplinary robotics competition to take place. In this sense, Beijing is making history," said Zhao Dongwei, director of market development at the World Humanoid Robot Games' organizing committee.

"The main purpose of the Games, in my view, is to assess the current development level of robotics technology, and to establish a platform for international and domestic robot competition, collaboration and exchange. By understanding the future potential of humanoid robots through the event, we can better drive advancement of the robotics industry," Zhao said.

The World Humanoid Robot Games, which will run until Aug 17, will feature 26 events across three major categories: competitive events, demonstration events, and scenario-based challenges, testing the participating robots' performance in fulfilling tasks ranging from sports to real-world applications.

Humanoid robots train intensively for historic games in Beijing

Humanoid robots train Intensively for historic games in Beijing

China is willing to strengthen communication, enhance trust, eliminate interference, and deepen cooperation with Canada to bring bilateral relations forward on a steady and sound track in solid strides under the new circumstances, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in Beijing on the day.

Referring to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to China, the first by a Canadian prime minister in eight years, Wang said the trip marks a milestone in bilateral ties and signals a turning point in the relationship.

The leaders of the two countries will hold meetings and talks, which are expected to open up new prospects for bilateral relations, said Wang.

The world today is undergoing profound and complex changes, and the impact of China-Canada relations transcends the bilateral scope, Wang noted.

Wang said that China and Canada have different social systems, stemming from different historical and cultural heritage, and based on the choices of their respective people.

He urged both sides to view each other in a rational and amicable manner with an inclusive mindset, handle issues on the basis of mutual respect, focus on the agenda of cooperation, and send positive messages so as to foster optimism, inject greater confidence into the development of bilateral relations, and jointly build a new type of strategic partnership between China and Canada.

Anand said the new Canadian government attaches great importance to relations with China. She also added that Prime Minister Carney looks forward to engaging in in-depth exchanges with Chinese leaders during the visit to set the course for the development of bilateral relations, resume dialogue in various fields, pursue more mutually beneficial outcomes, enhance coordination and cooperation in multilateral affairs, and further advance the strategic partnership between the two countries.

China ready to work for steady, sound ties with Canada: FM