Beijing's 798 district buzzing for first art and technology week

The first Beijing Technology and Art Week got underway in the iconic 798 Art District on Friday, with a thrilling mix of art and technology experiences on offer.

During the opening ceremony, a robot dog from Deep Robotics roamed the venue, delivering bottled water to guests, while a humanoid robot developed by Unitree Robotics stole the show with a captivating performance. The robot showcased its agility with a Chinese Kung Fu routine, battling contemporary dancer Chen Zihao and Beijing Dance Academy student Liu Yanbei.

The performance served as a preview for The Pulse, an original dance drama co-produced by Chen Zihao Dance Studio and Beijing 798 Culture and Technology Co.

"The performance explores the tension and dialogue between humans and robots," said Chen, who also acts as the choreographer for the production, in an interview with China Daily Website.

"We'll have two full-length performances on Friday and Saturday, where five dancers will perform alongside five robots from different Chinese robotics companies. Audience members will also have the opportunity to interact and become part of the show."