Shawn Liu

Last July, I visited a robotics company in Shenzhen through a collaborative initiative by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park and the Greater Bay Area office to explore technological innovation in China. UBTech Robots, a leading humanoid robotics firm in China, guided us through elaborate showcases and exhibition rooms dedicated to cutting-edge robotic technologies. From automated AI wheelchairs adroit at navigating obstacles to miniature dancing robots capable of mimicking movements, the exhibition presented a fascinating opportunity to observe China’s unique brand of technological revolution. 

While the technological marvels on display were impressive, I was particularly captivated by two main robots UBTech deployed to guide us through the exhibition halls. The first, “Youyou,” a humanoid robot, greeted us with enthusiasm. Not only did Youyou offer to shake our hands, but she also served us Coca-Cola herself – a remarkable demonstration of her dexterity. What intrigued me most, however, was that she was not just a humanoid robot: she was a robot with a panda exterior.

Youyou the panda was adorable. As the tour guide explained, Youyou served as the “friendly ambassador” of UBTech during their exhibition showcase in Dubai, instructing a crowd of over one hundred guests in the movements of Taichi, an ancient Chinese martial art. In this futuristic context, Youyou represented the evolution of the strategy of panda diplomacy. The symbolism of the panda — friendly, benign, and rich with cultural tradition — served to alleviate fears of Chinese technological prowess. Youyou personified Chinese innovation non-threateningly, embodying the friendliness that China aims to project on the global stage amidst its hegemonic rise. Just as real pandas once charmed foreign zoo visitors, the symbol of the panda has now extended to robots, captivating international audiences and subtly reminding the world of China’s cultural and scientific achievements in an increasingly competitive global technological landscape.

Youyou was not the only robot that captivated me. The next exhibition featured hundreds of miniature charming robots. These tiny Alexa-like devices could not only respond to requests and questions but also perform physical actions. They read from books, did push-ups, sung on demand, and even break danced, their eyes transforming into shades of black to resemble sunglasses during their performance. In a mesmerizing showcase, hundreds of robots, carefully arranged on a large fluorescent wall, danced in unison. The name of these miniature robots, you ask? Wukong.

Not surprisingly, Wukong is the monkey protagonist of the 16th century Chinese classic, Journey to the West. The book follows Wukong, who possesses supernatural abilities, as he is tasked with protecting a monk, Tan Sanzhang, against foes in his quest to obtain the Buddhist Sutra in the West. Unlike Youyou, the Wukong robots did not resemble animals. Nonetheless, Wukong the robot symbolizes what the Monkey King, Sun Wukong, embodies in Journey to the West: performing tasks to serve his master’s goals. This deliberate allusion to Sun Wukong served to establish a connection between China’s cultural richness and its technological expertise — all through the icon of the Monkey King. Wukong’s embodiment of the legendary Monkey King highlights the versatility of Chinese technology, suggesting that just as Sun Wukong assisted his master with supernatural prowess, these robots stand ready to assist humanity with unparalleled precision and efficiency.

In both contexts, one can observe the fascinating synthesis of cultural history and China’s technological ambitions on the global stage. Youyou and Wukong symbolize China’s strategic employment of cultural symbolism to enhance its soft power and technological prowess. By integrating familiar cultural icons into their robotic technology, UBTech effectively linked China’s rich history with its aspirations for technological leadership. 

Similarly, in a world where technology often seems at odds with tradition, China’s approach exemplifies how a nation can use its cultural heritage as a powerful tool in its quest for technological dominance. China aims to not only enhance its image as a leader in innovation but also reaffirm its cultural identity, ensuring that its technological advancements are seen as an extension of its rich historical legacy. Through the strategic deployment of beloved cultural icons in displays of technological innovation, China is challenging the narrative that its technological revolution is cause for concern.

Photo by Alex Knight on Unsplash

Shawn Liu (MAGIC/MSFS) graduated from Northwestern University in Fall 2022 with a major in History and Cognitive Science. Currently enrolled in the MA/MSFS dual degree program at Georgetown, he is interested in Chinese environmental history as well as Sino-American competition and collaboration, with a specific focus on their policies regarding the polar regions. He hopes to enter a doctoral program or enter the public sector working in international development after completing his dual degree at Georgetown. Outside of his career interests, he also enjoys listening to (and occasionally dancing to) classic rock, running, and traveling with his friends!