German chancellor watches robot martial arts performance at China's Unitree

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz was welcomed by an impressive robot martial arts performance as he visited Chinese robotics firm Unitree Robotics in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province on Thursday.

Merz, along with members of his business delegation, watched attentively throughout the innovative show "Wu BOT," or "Kung Fu Robots," nodding in appreciation at the various stunning moves. He led the applause after the show concluded.

Merz arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a two-day official visit to China. On Thursday he visited the Hangzhou-based Unitree Robotics, whose innovative humanoid robot creations have attracted significant global attention.

Merz 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 the live performance of a segment of the dynamic robot martial arts display.

"Wu BOT" was first performed during the 2026 China Media Group Spring Festival Gala broadcast on Feb 16, the eve of the Chinese New Year. Featuring dozens of humanoid machines moving in sync with martial artists, the show presented a blend of Chinese cultural heritage and state-of-the-art robotics technology.

German chancellor watches robot martial arts performance at China's Unitree

German chancellor watches robot martial arts performance at China's Unitree

German chancellor watches robot martial arts performance at China's Unitree

Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Sunday that 10 fatalities and 36 injuries had been reported across hospitals across Gaza over the past 24 hours.

According to statistics, the Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 72,971, with 173,000 others wounded since Oct. 7, 2023.

A total of 961 people have been killed and 3,020 others wounded since a ceasefire in Gaza came into effect on Oct. 10.

Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 72,971