Humanoid robots, kung fu masters dazzle in Spring Festival Gala

A team of humanoid robots joined forces with young kung fu artists to deliver a knockout martial arts performance during the China Media Group (CMG) 2026 Spring Festival Gala on Monday.

The high-energy display saw versatile robots and young human kung fu masters perform a series of impressive choreographed stunts and synchronized moves in a breathtaking stage segment.

From demonstrating the graceful elegance of martial arts moves, the sequence soon shifted to a more high-tempo display that showcased the agility and physical dexterity of the robots, leaving audiences in awe.

The robots also used traditional kung fu weapons such as swords and nunchucks, demonstrating impressive speed, balance, coordination and precision as they executed the pulsating performance in style.

The Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, is the most important traditional holiday for the Chinese people. Watching the Spring Festival Gala, also known as "Chunwan," is a cherished part of the celebrations every year in hundreds of millions of Chinese homes.

Since first being broadcast in 1983, the gala has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the most-watched annual television program on the planet.

The Spring Festival itself was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2024.

The 2026 Spring Festival falls on Tuesday this year, ushering in the Year of the Horse.