China Spotlights AI and Robotics in Military Strategy and Modern Warfare

A commentary published by People's Daily highlights China's expanding drive to integrate artificial intelligence and unmanned systems into defense and civilian domains. Pointing to civilian humanoid robot breakthroughs at Beijing's National Speed Skating Oval and quadruped 'machine wolves' featured in amphibious landing exercises, the publication stressed the strategic necessity of bridging the gap between research laboratories and operational training grounds. Framing science and technology as core military combat power, the commentary called for accelerating the deployment of intelligent equipment to maintain strategic initiative amid intensifying major-power competition.

The emphasis on deploying quadruped robots and robotic systems directly into frontline combat roles signals that the PLA is treating robotics not merely as peripheral experimentation, but as an essential element of modern amphibious and ground operational doctrine.

Chinese state media is highlighting the accelerating push to integrate advanced robotics and artificial intelligence into operational military doctrine, framing technological dominance as a decisive factor in modern warfare. In a commentary published via the People's Daily military channel, the outlet pointed to both civilian technological showcases and defense demonstrations as proof of China's rapid progress in robotics. The piece cited humanoid robots breaking human running records at the second World Humanoid Robot Games held at Beijing's National Speed Skating Oval, alongside industrial, medical, and emergency response applications displayed at the 2026 World Robot Conference. In the defense sector, the commentary drew attention to a recent official multimedia production titled Zhisheng ('Winning'), which depicted four-legged unmanned ground vehicles—commonly termed 'machine wolves'—operating in simulated amphibious beach-landing combat. According to the broadcast, these robotic units carried out tactical fire-support and ammunition-transport missions, illustrating how unmanned systems are moving into frontline combat concepts. At the World Robot Conference, a 90-year-old Chinese People's Volunteer Army veteran, Wang Guangming, was also highlighted testing a powered exoskeleton, symbolizing the progression of PLA equipment modernization across generations. The core argument of the commentary centered on eliminating organizational barriers between laboratory development and operational deployment. The article urged military researchers and commanders to close the gap between research and frontline combat requirements, ensuring that emerging prototypes are rigorously tested in realistic training environments. This emphasis aligns with broader national strategy. The commentary noted that recommendations for China's upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan call for deepening the integration of artificial intelligence across industry, scientific research, and national governance. The piece reiterated Beijing's long-standing doctrine that science and technology represent the core component of combat capability, warning that hesitation in adopting emerging technologies could leave armed forces at a disadvantage in major-power competition. While public displays of quadruped robots and autonomous systems demonstrate rapid prototype development, the commentary's candid focus on bridging institutional gaps between research and combat reality suggests that standardizing these platforms across operational units remains an ongoing institutional challenge.