Unitree founder hopes for greater global cooperation in robotics after hosting German chancellor

The founder of leading Chinese robot maker Unitree Robotics said the firm stands ready to work with companies around the world to develop humanoid robots and advance artificial intelligence.

Wang Xingxing, Unitree's founder and CEO, was speaking after hosting the visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the eastern Chinese tech hub of Hangzhou on Thursday.

Merz had arrived in Beijing on Wednesday to begin a two-day official visit, before continuing his China trip on Thursday with a visit to the Hangzhou-based Unitree Robotics, whose innovative humanoid robot creations have gathered significant global attention.

Merz, along with members of his business delegation, listened to introductions about some of the cutting-edge robot components being produced by the company before he was treated to a robot boxing demonstration and a live performance of a segment of the dynamic robot martial arts display that was featured during the 2026 China Media Group Spring Festival Gala, broadcast on the eve of the Chinese New Year.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) after hosting Merz and his delegation, Wang said he can feel that the world is sitting up and taking notice of China's robotics industry.

"During Chancellor Merz's visit, I primarily introduced our company's current progress, displayed various robots, small and large, and highlighted our robots' capacity to do martial and boxing, robot combat and industrial applications. Throughout our exchanges, we've felt global attention on China's robotics industry," said the Unitree founder.

Wang expressed hope to enhance cooperation with companies from Germany and other countries, so as to further develop humanoid robots and artificial intelligence, and ultimately benefit the whole world.

"We're looking forward to more business ties and cooperation with Germany and companies in other countries. We believe the technology of robotics belongs to the future and the whole world. Only through joint efforts can we do it well. With the world's joint efforts, we can push humanoid robots and AI to the next level and truly make robots benefit the whole world," he said.

Unitree founder hopes for greater global cooperation in robotics after hosting German chancellor

Efforts are underway in Gaza to restore what remains of the historic Abu Salim Mosque and preserve that it represents, after the religious site was hit by an Israeli airstrike on August 24.

Located in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, the Abu Salim Mosque is widely regarded as one of Gaza's oldest and most historically significant religious landmarks.

However, more than half of the mosque currently lies in ruins, with parts of its historic walls collapsing following the Israeli strike.

The municipality and volunteers are trying to salvage whatever they can from the rubble, even the mosque's damaged stones, valued by Palestinians for their historical and cultural significance.

"We are searching for heritage books and stones. When conditions allow reconstruction in the future, the municipality will work with heritage organizations to restore this mosque," said Salem Abu Hasnin, a member of the Deir al-Balah Municipal Council.

The search through the rubble is made harder by a severe lack of equipment and resources.

"This mosque is both a heritage and archaeological site. It was built in 1951 in the Ottoman style. Our team launched a preventive preservation campaign, collecting historic marble pieces and scattered limestone for safekeeping," said Shaimaa Al-Natour, a member of the Heritage Guardians Team.

The mosque's library was also damaged. Among the debris, the team is trying to rescue surviving books and preserve them with whatever materials are available.

"Documenting, archiving and collecting historic books require special preservation boxes. We are working with very limited resources, keeping the books in cardboard or wooden boxes that are not designed for this purpose," said Muhannad Abu Lahya, a cultural heritage guide.

The Palestinian Ministry of Religious Endowments says almost all of Gaza's 1,275 mosques have been targeted since the war began, including well over 1,000 that were completely destroyed.

Despite the widespread destruction, Palestinians remain determined to preserve their heritage, hoping what they save from the rubble can one day be rebuilt into what was lost.

Efforts underway to preserve historic Abu Salim Mosque after Israeli strike