Back-flipping, nunchuck-weilding humanoid robots delighted and amazed viewers at China’s annual televised new-year extravaganza with their kung-fu choreography. But they – and their rivals who took to the stage Monday night – also carried a message about just how rapidly Chinese androids are advancing.

China ushered in the Year of the Horse with a showcase of high-tech capabilities.

China's humanoid robots performed kung fu on national TV, stunning viewers with how quickly the technology has advanced.