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

China

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

2026-02-27 01:10 Last Updated At：16:07

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.

Shanghai offers diverse summer cultural exchanges for international youth

Shanghai has become a vibrant hub this summer for international youth cultural exchanges, with teenagers from more than 10 countries gathering in the city to experience its charm through a range of activities and immersive programs.

One popular program is the 2026 "Magnolia Cup" Global Future Zhiyin (Soulmates) Initiative China-International Youth Sustainable Development Cultural Exchange Event, held from July 18 to 19 in Shanghai.

The program featured themed concerts, explorations of folk customs at Yuyuan Garden, and performances of intangible cultural heritage folk music, allowing participants to connect with the pulse of the city's development across multiple settings.

"Shanghai is probably the most beautiful city I've ever been to. The city is definitely not what I expected. I have always wanted to come to China because I knew it was such a beautiful country," said an American student.

Meanwhile, the 20th Shanghai International Youth Interactive Friendship Camp welcomed over 100 middle school students from 17 countries across five continents. During the 10-day camp, participants engaged in a rich array of activities including urban orienteering, intangible cultural heritage experiences, technology visits, and homestay exchanges. They gained a comprehensive appreciation of the city's cultural appeal.