Robot 'Aibao' Learns to Make 1,400-Year-Old Youcha at Beijing Trade Fair

At the 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), Zhou Liwei, a national intangible cultural heritage inheritor of Gongcheng youcha, showcased the 1,400-year-old Yao-style tea drink that dates back to the Tang Dynasty tea-making tradition.

This year, he was joined by a special apprentice: a robot named 'Aibao,' which handles labor-intensive steps such as pounding the tea ingredients. The use of robotics aims to preserve traditional craftsmanship while reducing physical strain.

Zhou said he hopes the trade fair will help bring the ancient Yao tea culture beyond the mountains to a wider national and international audience.