nder The Radar is a special series and newsletter offering from Diplomatic Courier bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world over the past month. This month across Asia: robots in the Beijing Marathon, India's growing tiger population, and cultural exchanges between China and Japan. You can sign up to receive the newsletter here.
Robots to compete in upcoming Beijing marathon
Beijing will host the first–ever human and robot marathon in April. Around 12,000 people will run alongside humanoid robots from more than 20 Chinese companies, all competing in a half–marathon. There will even be prizes for the top three finishers, with both humans and robots eligible. The requirements for the humanoid robots are somewhat vague, with both fully autonomous and remote–controlled robots allowed to enter the race. Companies are even allowed to replace their robot’s batteries during the race.
While the marathon itself is the first of its kind, China’s broader recent fascination with humanoid robotics means it does not come as a surprise. In 2024, Beijing’s Humanoid Robot Innovation Center revealed Tiangong, a robot with a human–like physique who is capable of running rather seamlessly. The Embodied AI Robotics Innovation Center developed a humanoid robot that recently climbed 134 outdoor stairs. A Chinese automaker recently signed a deal with UBTECH to introduce some of their humanoid robots into their factories. Once these robots have been trained, they will be tasked with inspections, assembly, and configuration writing.
Beijing will also host the first–ever World Humanoid Robot Sports Games later in 2025. The games will provide a space for humanoid robots to compete against one another in typical human sports, spurring further development of humanoid robots. Reportedly, there will also be some side events that will have robots and humans interacting with each other.
India doubles its tiger population
The peer reviewed journal Science published a report at the end of January 2025 which found that India has doubled its tiger population in a little over the past decade. Given India is home to over 75% of the world’s tiger population, this is monumental news for tiger conservation.
The recent Science report also argues that the conservation efforts to save India’s tigers may serve as a case study to protect other endangered megafauna (large animals). The study suggests that tigers are most likely to be found in prey–rich areas and least likely in regions where poaching was commonplace. Evidence also suggests tigers are more likely to exist near humans in economically prosperous locations and less likely to be in impoverished areas. This is perhaps linked to economically prosperous locations possessing better resources to protect the tigers, creating a cycle. Notably, people who live near tiger habitats in India have seen benefits in ecotourism.
Over the years, tiger conservation efforts in India have focused on mitigating long–term human–animal conflict. For instance, communities that lose cattle to tigers will be financially compensated. Conservation organizations will use bright lights to deter tigers from settling near human settlements. Conservation groups have also seen the importance of working with local communities to improve education about tigers and conservation.
Notably, international scientists are asking that the source data from the study be made available to more scientists to continue these conservation efforts.
China and Japan promote cultural exchange
China and Japan are pursuing better mutual understanding and relations through a series of cultural exchanges, most recently by hosting a dialogue about the countries’ ties.
In September 2024, China, Japan, and South Korea signed a memorandum of cooperation for the three countries to form a joint committee to promote cultural exchange. They also selected the three cities, one from each country, for the 2025 East Asian Cultural Cities. In December 2024, China and Japan agreed upon means of promoting cultural exchange between the two countries. The agreed upon methods include tourism for students and tourists, cooperation for sporting events and content creation like films and games, and collaborative discussion between women's groups from both countries. China and Japan also agreed to host dialogues between members of the media and think tanks to improve positive impressions of both countries.
The dialogue in February 2025 brought together 160 people from media and think tanks in the two countries. These dialogues emphasize what the two countries have in common, both in shared history and in their present day cultures and goals, and the hosts of the dialogues also want to touch on the countries’ differences to identify common ground. A report was released after the event, suggesting China’s desire to share its cultural heritage on a global stage while also learning from other global cultures to promote cooperation. The report suggests that the pursuit of cultural exchange—between China, Japan, South Korea, and other countries—will become essential as the world continues to navigate unparalleled crises.
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Robots to compete in upcoming Beijing marathon
Bejing, China. Photo by Magda Ehlers via Pexels.
March 5, 2025
Diplomatic Courier staff writer Stephanie Gull brings you three under–the–radar stories from Asia: robots in the Beijing Marathon, India's tiger population, and cultural exchanges between China and Japan.
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nder The Radar is a special series and newsletter offering from Diplomatic Courier bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world over the past month. This month across Asia: robots in the Beijing Marathon, India's growing tiger population, and cultural exchanges between China and Japan. You can sign up to receive the newsletter here.
Robots to compete in upcoming Beijing marathon
Beijing will host the first–ever human and robot marathon in April. Around 12,000 people will run alongside humanoid robots from more than 20 Chinese companies, all competing in a half–marathon. There will even be prizes for the top three finishers, with both humans and robots eligible. The requirements for the humanoid robots are somewhat vague, with both fully autonomous and remote–controlled robots allowed to enter the race. Companies are even allowed to replace their robot’s batteries during the race.
While the marathon itself is the first of its kind, China’s broader recent fascination with humanoid robotics means it does not come as a surprise. In 2024, Beijing’s Humanoid Robot Innovation Center revealed Tiangong, a robot with a human–like physique who is capable of running rather seamlessly. The Embodied AI Robotics Innovation Center developed a humanoid robot that recently climbed 134 outdoor stairs. A Chinese automaker recently signed a deal with UBTECH to introduce some of their humanoid robots into their factories. Once these robots have been trained, they will be tasked with inspections, assembly, and configuration writing.
Beijing will also host the first–ever World Humanoid Robot Sports Games later in 2025. The games will provide a space for humanoid robots to compete against one another in typical human sports, spurring further development of humanoid robots. Reportedly, there will also be some side events that will have robots and humans interacting with each other.
India doubles its tiger population
The peer reviewed journal Science published a report at the end of January 2025 which found that India has doubled its tiger population in a little over the past decade. Given India is home to over 75% of the world’s tiger population, this is monumental news for tiger conservation.
The recent Science report also argues that the conservation efforts to save India’s tigers may serve as a case study to protect other endangered megafauna (large animals). The study suggests that tigers are most likely to be found in prey–rich areas and least likely in regions where poaching was commonplace. Evidence also suggests tigers are more likely to exist near humans in economically prosperous locations and less likely to be in impoverished areas. This is perhaps linked to economically prosperous locations possessing better resources to protect the tigers, creating a cycle. Notably, people who live near tiger habitats in India have seen benefits in ecotourism.
Over the years, tiger conservation efforts in India have focused on mitigating long–term human–animal conflict. For instance, communities that lose cattle to tigers will be financially compensated. Conservation organizations will use bright lights to deter tigers from settling near human settlements. Conservation groups have also seen the importance of working with local communities to improve education about tigers and conservation.
Notably, international scientists are asking that the source data from the study be made available to more scientists to continue these conservation efforts.
China and Japan promote cultural exchange
China and Japan are pursuing better mutual understanding and relations through a series of cultural exchanges, most recently by hosting a dialogue about the countries’ ties.
In September 2024, China, Japan, and South Korea signed a memorandum of cooperation for the three countries to form a joint committee to promote cultural exchange. They also selected the three cities, one from each country, for the 2025 East Asian Cultural Cities. In December 2024, China and Japan agreed upon means of promoting cultural exchange between the two countries. The agreed upon methods include tourism for students and tourists, cooperation for sporting events and content creation like films and games, and collaborative discussion between women's groups from both countries. China and Japan also agreed to host dialogues between members of the media and think tanks to improve positive impressions of both countries.
The dialogue in February 2025 brought together 160 people from media and think tanks in the two countries. These dialogues emphasize what the two countries have in common, both in shared history and in their present day cultures and goals, and the hosts of the dialogues also want to touch on the countries’ differences to identify common ground. A report was released after the event, suggesting China’s desire to share its cultural heritage on a global stage while also learning from other global cultures to promote cooperation. The report suggests that the pursuit of cultural exchange—between China, Japan, South Korea, and other countries—will become essential as the world continues to navigate unparalleled crises.
