This year, the Chinese premier has made a point of visiting startups and small businesses as he plans the nation's path to the future. Hu Yongqi reports.

On April 25, a large crowd scrambled into an open courtyard and waited breathlessly to witness a badminton exhibition between Premier Li Keqiang and the Robomintoner, a rectangular platform equipped with optical lenses, spherical wheels and two badminton rackets. It is the first intelligent machine in the world to play the game.

While some observers at the event in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China, marveled at the robot's abilities, many more were busy filming the contest on their cellphones.