<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Robots performing backflips and wielding nunchucks have wowed audiences during </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/china" rel="" target="_blank" title="China's"><span>China's</span></a><span> annual New Year Gala.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The humanoid robots performed for nearly five minutes on stage in a tightly choreographed routine that involved flips and dance moves, using various props, and even performing and interacting with child performers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In the finale of the performance, a larger robot stood in the middle of the pack and held out a large sword while being elevated on a platform, with other robots around it waving staffs in the air.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/davide-vulpis-tragic-twist-after-sydney-chef-dies-in-motorbike-crash-in-bali/b92349bc-dc86-41b0-b187-f61cd411cd74"><strong><span>Tragic twist after Sydney chef dies in Bali</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The performance was designed to show how </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/china-news" rel="" target="_blank" title="China's"><span>China's</span></a><span> android and </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/technology" rel="" target="_blank" title="tech"><span>tech</span></a><span> industries are rapidly advancing.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The robots in this particular routine came from a Chinese firm called Unitree Robitics, and several other companies showed off their latest android technologies at the four-hour-long gala to mark the Chinese New Year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some robots performed choreography as human pop stars, while others performed their own comedy skits.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/china-robots-martial-arts-chinese-new-year-gala/5609a020-8b09-4af2-a284-ffb09b51c1e1" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>China is the world's largest industrial robot market and home to more than half of all robots installed worldwide in 2024, according to the International Federation of Robotics.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-ready-to-attack-iran-this-weekend-but-donald-trump-not-yet-decided/faaf1088-4489-47a0-bb53-3a9249bb7b5c"><strong><span>US ready for military strike this weekend, sources say</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Beijing is also looking to use robots to help defend itself from manpower shortages and rising labour costs.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While humanoids have so far been most visible in novelty appearances and entertainment like Monday's show, they are also being piloted on assembly lines and in logistics hubs and science labs. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Even though on this occasion the robots were designed to look good and impress with their martial arts abilities, it could also be a sign of China flexing its muscle and looking to highlight its dominance in the field of robotics.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>Reported with CNN</span></em><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><p><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727"><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></a><span> </span><strong><span>and</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1"><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></a></p></li><li><p><strong><span>Make 9News your 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