Beijing: In a bold attempt to establish global leadership in artificial intelligence (AI), China recently hosted the world’s first half-marathon for humanoid robots in late April. The event, held in Beijing, coincided with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s declaration of AI as a national strategic priority during the 20th plenary session of the Communist Party of China on April 25.

Just four days later, Xi visited Shanghai, where he called for the city's accelerated transformation into a global technology hub. His itinerary included a stop at Model Space, a prominent AI incubation center housing more than 100 companies focused on robotics and large language models. These moves reflect China’s intensified efforts to reduce reliance on Western technologies under its Made in China 2025 strategy and to secure dominance in high-tech sectors.

However, China’s grand AI narrative is increasingly under scrutiny due to a series of technical and public relations setbacks. On February 9, during the Spring Festival in Tianjin, a humanoid robot malfunctioned mid-performance during a synchronized dance routine, crashing into stage structures and alarming spectators. Although security personnel swiftly intervened, the incident raised questions about the technology's maturity.

Further doubt surfaced during the Yizhuang Half Marathon on April 19, where 21 humanoid robots participated in a race touted as a milestone by state media. But leaked footage revealed multiple mishaps — including one robot falling at the starting line and another crashing into a railing, injuring its handler. These stumbles exposed the fragility behind the polished narrative.

In May, another robot reportedly malfunctioned violently in a mainland robotics lab, damaging surrounding equipment. At a Guangzhou tech expo, China’s much-publicized “human-like robots” were revealed to be performers wearing metallic makeup, imitating robotic movements — a revelation that sparked ridicule and intensified skepticism.

AI Companions for China’s Gender Imbalance
As China expands its AI capabilities, a controversial trend has emerged: the promotion of female-coded humanoid robots as companions for the country's large population of single men. With a gender imbalance of over 30 million more men than women — a consequence of decades of demographic policy — the rise of hyper-realistic robotic companions is being viewed by some as a technological workaround to a deeper social crisis.

State-affiliated media have even promoted robot spouses as potential solutions to declining birth rates and marriage numbers. Companies such as East Robot have introduced life-like machines capable of mimicking facial expressions and responding to speech with programmed personalities ranging from cheerful to docile. While financially lucrative, critics warn that such products mask underlying social problems and promote artificial intimacy in place of meaningful human connection.

Surveillance Robots Spark Autonomy Fears
Beyond companionship, the role of humanoid robots in state surveillance is raising red flags globally. In major cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen, AI-powered robots are being deployed as public assistants. Yet many are equipped with facial recognition and behavior-tracking technology — capabilities that suggest their true purpose may be less about service and more about control.

What was once limited to passive surveillance through cameras is now expanding into active monitoring through interactive machines. This deepening of digital oversight represents a significant shift in how the Chinese state asserts authority in everyday life.

A Future of Artificial Control?
Analysts argue that China’s AI strategy blends innovation with increasing authoritarianism, using technological developments to reinforce control rather than promote social reform. In a society grappling with high economic pressure, shifting cultural norms, and a declining birthrate, robotics may offer temporary relief but not lasting solutions.

With growing concerns about privacy, autonomy, and authenticity, China’s AI campaign is not only being questioned domestically but also drawing global suspicion. As other nations monitor these developments closely, the world is left to consider whether China’s push into artificial intelligence represents meaningful progress — or a high-tech illusion masking deeper societal challenges.