A humanoid robot developed in China took part in an exhibition marking the 55th anniversary of “Ping-Pong Diplomacy,” which helped pave the way for the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between China and the United States, according to a report by CGTN.

The AgiBot Lingxi X2 appeared in an interactive zone at the commemorative event, where it played table tennis against Chinese sports legend Deng Yaping, US guests and participants linked to earlier diplomatic exchanges.

The 1971 visit of a US table tennis delegation to China is widely regarded as a key moment in easing tensions between the two countries.

Standing about 1.3 metres tall, the robot requires no remote control and is able to track high-speed balls, return shots and sustain rallies, demonstrating autonomous movement and coordination.