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
Israel and Lebanon will formally begin a 10-day ceasefire at 17:00 U.S. Eastern Time (2100 GMT) on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced after his phone calls with the two countries' leaders.
"I just had excellent conversations with the Highly Respected President Joseph Aoun, of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel. These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P.M. EST," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
"I have directed Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Rubio, together with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Razin' Caine, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a Lasting PEACE," he said.
He added that he will invite President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House "for the first meaningful talks between Lebanon and Israel since 1983," expressing belief that peace will be achieved between the two countries.
According to multiple Israeli media outlets, Netanyahu convened the security cabinet by phone to inform them of his acceptance of Trump's ceasefire request.
He told cabinet ministers that the Israeli army would remain in its current positions in southern Lebanon, which Israel defines as a security zone, and that the ceasefire conditions would allow Israeli forces to operate if it detected threats.
The prime minister noted that Israel has two main demands in these talks -- the disarmament of Hezbollah and a lasting peace agreement.
Following Trump's ceasefire announcement, a Hezbollah lawmaker said that the group will monitor Israel's "practical and effective" commitment to halting all hostile actions against Lebanon, following what he described as an Iran-mediated comprehensive ceasefire.
"We call on our people to wait for the actual implementation of the ceasefire, as we are accustomed to Israel reneging on its commitments," Hassan Fadlallah, the lawmaker, told Lebanese broadcaster Al Mayadeen.
Hezbollah sources, quoted by local Al Jadeed TV, said that any proposed ceasefire must include a comprehensive halt to Israeli attacks across all Lebanese territory and must not grant Israel any freedom of movement.
The sources added that the continued Israeli occupation of Lebanese territories grants Lebanon and its people the right to resist.
Israel and Lebanon held their first direct diplomatic talks since 1993 earlier this week in Washington, with both sides agreeing to launch "direct" negotiations after the meeting.
Lebanese health authorities said Thursday that the cumulative death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the country has risen to 2,196, with 7,185 others injured since March 2.
Trump says Israel, Lebanon to begin 10-day ceasefire
