ReflectionsUFOs, aliens, robots ... ancient Chinese sci-fi novels were as fantastical as modern tales

The Chinese began writing sci-fi novels in the early 20th century, but stories that would be recognisable as science fiction today can be found in ancient Chinese texts. Among the earliest is the story about a leather and wood robot presented to the Zhou dynasty King Mu during the 10th century BC by the artisan Yan Shi. The robot sang, danced and even flirted like a real human being, and had human hair, teeth and entrails. It became inanimate when it was taken apart and reanimated when its parts were put back together.