Summary: In the lead-up to the Lunar New Year, President Xi Jinping encouraged the nation to advance towards a better future through Chinese-style modernization. The article highlights improved transportation infrastructure, exemplified by new highways and high-speed rail lines, making travel home easier for many, including migrant workers. It also describes how increased incomes and government support have led to more abundant Lunar New Year meals, and how technological advancements such as AI and automation are improving working conditions in various sectors. The piece underscores the alignment of individual dreams with national progress, particularly in strategic sectors like domestic large language models. The overall tone celebrates national development and its positive impact on people's lives.
Summary: At a Spring Festival gathering on February 14th, 2026, Xi Jinping delivered a speech representing the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, extending New Year greetings to all Chinese people, including those in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and overseas. The speech emphasized the achievements of the past year and encouraged continued efforts towards national goals. Individuals from various sectors, including logistics, tourism, cultural preservation, environmental protection, and technology, expressed their commitment to contributing to China's development following the spirit of Xi's address. These individuals also expressed that China is continuing to open up to the world. The speech also highlighted the importance of technological innovation and high-quality development for China's future.
Summary: The article reports that February 16th, the Lunar New Year's Eve, was celebrated with festive spirit and joyful family reunions across China.
Summary: The article emphasizes the importance of community-level governance in China, highlighting efforts to enhance services and address residents' needs. It notes that communities are increasingly responsive to residents' concerns, providing examples such as expanded elderly care services and support for working individuals. The piece underscores the role of these community initiatives in fostering a sense of unity and well-being among citizens. Ultimately, the article argues that a strong community structure is essential for China's continued development and progress. There is no discussion of the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: Prior to the Spring Festival, the article reports on the changes in Chang'an Community in Shenyang, Liaoning, following Xi Jinping's visit in January 2025, where he emphasized care for the elderly and children. The community has undergone renovations, including underground wiring, new pipelines, and the addition of public facilities. Residents have seen improvements in daily life through community services and activities, such as a community canteen and interest courses for children. The community also created a public garden in response to residents' suggestions, even involving volunteer work from residents. The article highlights the positive impact of these changes on the residents' well-being and sense of community.
Summary: The article reports on a promotional event in Jieyang, Guangdong showcasing local products, highlighting the success of Guangdong Kangfu Electric Co., Ltd. and its high-quality hair dryers. General Manager Huang Minnan attributes their success to technological innovation and R&D investment, including collaboration with universities. The "Guangdong Goods Go Global, Jieyang Premium Products" event provides local businesses with opportunities for sales and brand exposure. Local officials are implementing supportive policies to promote Guangdong products in the global market. The company is aiming to export its brand globally.
Summary: Police officers Shen Xin and Shi Xianqiang, a married couple stationed in Heilongjiang's remote Luoguhe village, patrol the border with Russia, facing extremely cold conditions. The couple emphasizes the importance of their role in maintaining border stability and addressing the needs of the local villagers. They regularly visit the 71 households in the village, assisting with tasks like obtaining documents and purchasing medicine, which strengthens their relationship with the community. The couple believes that safeguarding the country's borders is essential for the well-being of its citizens.
Summary: In a congratulatory message to the African Union summit, Xi Jinping emphasized China's commitment to world peace and common development amidst global changes. He highlighted China's upcoming zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries and efforts to expand access for African products into China, which various African figures said demonstrated China's dedication to mutual benefit and supporting African modernization. African commentators noted the positive impact of initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative on African development. They also highlighted China's role in promoting South-South cooperation and providing an alternative to Western models of development. The article did mention that China is promoting multilateralism in contrast to protectionist trends in countries such as the United States.
Summary: Numerous heads of state and international organizations, including Russia's Putin, Brazil's Lula, and UN Secretary-General Guterres, sent greetings to Xi Jinping for the Lunar New Year. These messages conveyed wishes for prosperity and good fortune to the Chinese people. Many leaders expressed desires to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation with China across various fields, including infrastructure, trade, and cultural exchanges. Several countries reaffirmed their support for the "One China" policy. Guterres thanked China for its support of multilateralism and global solidarity.
Summary: Twenty-three ambassadors and diplomats from nine ASEAN countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, visited Langfang, Hebei province, to experience Chinese New Year traditions and culture. The diplomats attended a New Year's fair featuring products from various countries, including Indonesian goods. Indonesian Deputy Ambassador Liang Yuning expressed appreciation for the close economic and trade cooperation between Indonesia and China, highlighting the import of Indonesian products like coconuts and durian. The diplomats also visited a cultural exhibition featuring a modern theatrical adaptation of "Dream of the Red Chamber" and a non-material cultural heritage exhibition.
Summary: The founder of the Global Future Institute and member of the Club of Rome argues that Western media presents a distorted view of China, failing to understand its governance system, which emphasizes talent selection, hierarchical decision-making, and long-term planning. He asserts China prioritizes domestic development and avoids interference in other countries' internal affairs, focusing on improving people's livelihoods. He argues that China's development is not a threat and encourages the West to respect China's unique civilization and political system, viewing China as an economic competitor that can be managed through rules and cooperation rather than as a military threat. The author sees the U.S. and the West's framing of China as a "threat" as counterproductive, advocating for a more rational and stable global order based on respect for differences. He also makes an observation that the Global South is more interested in development and stability rather than ideological confrontation.
Summary: In the leadup to the Lunar New Year of 2026, President Xi Jinping encouraged the nation to advance Chinese-style modernization. The article highlights improved transportation infrastructure, such as new highways and high-speed rail lines, which are making it easier for people to travel home for the holidays. The article also emphasized the increasing affluence and quality of life, including tariff exemptions, new housing and rising incomes. It also touched on industrial upgrading in Shanxi's coal mines, reducing dangers and labor. These advancements reflect the realization of individual dreams in alignment with national progress.
Summary: The article highlights various domestic tourism trends during the Chinese New Year holiday, focusing on local initiatives to attract tourists. Examples include temple fairs in Changsha featuring traditional performances and modern twists, a ski resort in Chongqing catering to families and beginners, and cultural heritage tours in Quanzhou showcasing historical sites and traditional arts. Local officials in each location emphasized the unique offerings and efforts to enhance the tourist experience. The article does not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: The article describes the booming business of "chao wan" (trendy toys) in Yiwu International Trade City, exemplified by store owner Yang Yang's success. Yang Yang, a former jewelry seller, capitalized on the growing global popularity of Chinese trendy toys, including items themed around the Year of the Horse. The opening of the Global Digital Trade Center with a dedicated creative trendy toy section in October has further boosted business by attracting international buyers. Yang Yang plans to expand her business, including developing original IP for her toy products. The article highlights Yiwu's role as a major international trade hub with connections to over 230 countries and regions.
Summary: During the Spring Festival, China Electric Porcelain Electrical Co., Ltd. in Jiangxi Province is operating at full capacity to fulfill export orders, which are booked through November. The company's exports increased by 32% last year, driven by technological advancements like intelligent production lines that increased efficiency and reduced energy consumption. The company overcame key technological hurdles to become the world's largest supplier of bar-shaped pillar insulators. Local authorities are assisting companies in obtaining international certifications to expand into global markets. By 2025, the county's exports of electric porcelain and electrical products reached 381 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 79.15%.
Summary: During the Spring Festival season, Chen Guohua, a mushroom farmer from Tianjin, is focused on harvesting his crops, particularly the golden ear mushrooms (金耳). He adopted "intelligent cabins" (智能方舱) after learning about standardization, factory farming, and intelligent technology, and after suffering through some unsuccessful initial growing seasons. These cabins allow for precise environmental control, leading to high-quality harvests of golden ear mushrooms. He reflects that he is now a "new hand" after being an "old hand."
Summary: The 2024 CCTV Spring Festival Gala featured a blend of traditional Chinese culture, technological innovation, and international performances, aiming to celebrate the Chinese New Year with global audiences. The gala reached 677 million viewers through all media platforms, with significant increases in online engagement, particularly among younger audiences. The show included segments highlighting China's technological advancements, such as robotics, as well as performances from international artists, including those from the U.S., France, and Ireland. The gala also emphasized themes of family, unity, and national pride, with performances celebrating cultural heritage and aspirations for the future. There was no mention of the United States in the article.
Summary: The Milan Winter Olympics coincided with the Chinese Lunar New Year, showcasing Chinese culture and traditions. Chinese athletes were encouraged to embody the spirit of the horse, striving for self-improvement. The "China House" featured cultural exhibitions, including non-heritage crafts, and was visited by athletes from various countries, including the United States. An American athlete learned about the symbolism of the horse in Chinese culture and received a Spring Festival couplet. Yu Jianyong, Director of the Sports Equipment Center of the State General Administration of Sports and Director of the Market Development Department of the Chinese Olympic Committee, stated that the Olympics served as a cultural window to the world.
Summary: During the 2026 Spring Festival gathering, Xi Jinping extended greetings to all Chinese people, including those in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and overseas. He emphasized the achievements of the past year and the importance of continued effort in the new year, particularly in areas like economic development, ecological conservation, and Party building. Representatives from various sectors, including delivery drivers, power grid workers, and scientists, expressed their commitment to contributing to the country's progress. Officials highlighted China's openness to the world and its commitment to building a community with a shared future for mankind. The gathering served to inspire confidence and encourage hard work towards national goals.
Summary: Chinese athlete Gong Li finished fifth in the women's 1000m short track speed skating event at the Milan Winter Olympics, with a time of 1:29.392. Gong competed against prominent athletes, including the Dutch 500m gold medalist Sandra and Italian athlete Fontana. Despite attempts to overtake her competitors, Gong acknowledged the gap in skill and expressed determination to improve. Gong was the only Chinese athlete to advance to the A group final for this event. The article does not discuss the United States or U.S.-China relations.
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Summary: This article emphasizes China's advancements in energy security and supply, highlighting the expansion of renewable energy sources and infrastructure development, including increases in west-east electricity transmission and oil and gas pipeline mileage. It notes the growth of China's renewable energy sector, now the world's largest, and an energy self-sufficiency rate exceeding 84%. The piece celebrates improvements in energy service reliability and the application of technologies like AI and hydrogen to promote a low-carbon energy transition. The achievements are framed as vital for national development and improving the lives of citizens. There is no mention of the United States.
Summary: Please provide the article you would like me to summarize. I need the text of the article to be able to provide a summary that meets your specific requirements regarding brevity, focus on official statements/actions and accompanying personnel, and inclusion of any mentions of the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: Several reports highlighted improvements in Chinese communities. In Zhejiang, resident Tao Qilang returned to his village to manage a "zero-carbon plant factory" producing medicinal herbs, powered by renewable energy. In Anhui, resident Sun Jian noted improvements in waste management and community integration in his hometown, including incentives for residents to properly sort the waste. Jiangxi resident Qiu Shixiong opened a guesthouse to view the local birds, improving the local economy. Hubei resident Liu Yan returned home to find that the local factory was changed into a park where residents can spend time together. Shanghai resident Shi Jifeng praised the new pocket park that improved the quality of his community.
Summary: The article discusses China's progress in ecological civilization construction since the 18th Party Congress, noting improvements in urban and rural environments, including waste management and air quality as well as increased life expectancy. It emphasizes the importance of public participation, grassroots efforts, and leveraging "beautiful ecology" for economic benefits, citing examples like ecotourism in rural villages. While acknowledging regional disparities and ongoing challenges in environmental protection, the piece advocates for sustained efforts, attention to detail, and incorporating public feedback in environmental projects. The article encourages continuous improvement and public awareness to improve the national environment.
Summary: Please provide the article you would like me to summarize. I need the text of the article to provide an accurate and concise summary for professional analysts of Chinese politics.
Summary: Changsha, designated a "World Media Arts Capital" by UNESCO, is celebrating the Spring Festival with a blend of technology and traditional culture. Programmers are using code to create firework displays, while digital artists are reviving ancient cultural relics for stage performances and city screens. Foreign students are capturing the juxtaposition of cyberpunk aesthetics and traditional folk customs in the city's streets. This fusion of old and new is transforming traditional customs into interactive urban art experiences. The fireworks, some of which have served national events such as the Beijing Olympics, have also been exported to over 20 countries.
Summary: The article discusses the Jingyun Bell, cast in 711 AD during the Tang Dynasty, and its significance as a national treasure. Currently housed in the Xi'an Beilin Museum, the bell's recordings have been used for the Spring Festival Gala's New Year's chimes since the 1980s. Researcher Zhang Ting notes the bell reflects the Tang Dynasty's politics, religion, art, and technology, serving as a cultural symbol. It was moved to the Xi'an Bell Tower in 1384, and was hidden during the anti-Japanese war. The Jingyun Bell is a first-class cultural relic and is prohibited from being exhibited abroad.
Summary: The article discusses the unique "core-bone and bar-shaped core support combined technology" used in the casting of Sanxingdui bronze artifacts, particularly the bronze trees. This technique, involving the use of both internal core supports (core-bones) and bar-shaped core supports to stabilize the mold during casting, is considered the earliest known example of its kind in China. The technology highlights the innovative casting methods developed by the ancient Shu people to meet the specific cultural and artifactual requirements of their society. The article speculates on the potential influence of Sanxingdui's unique technology on later Chinese and even Eurasian metallurgy, suggesting a possible outflow of technological knowledge. The author notes that similar techniques were found 600 years later in Europe, and raises the question of whether the metallurgy techniques came from external sources, or went outwards from China.
Summary: Please provide the article you would like me to summarize. I need the text of the article to provide an accurate and concise summary for professional analysts of Chinese politics.
Summary: The article highlights the capabilities of the Qianwen AI assistant, showcasing its integration with Alibaba's ecosystem to assist users with various tasks, including ordering coffee, booking travel, purchasing goods, and buying movie tickets. Qianwen is positioned as a comprehensive "life assistant" that responds to user needs through simple voice commands. During February, the Qianwen app is offering a "Spring Festival treat" program that provides users with potential discounts and "free order cards" when making purchases through the app, leveraging its connection to Taobao, Alipay, Fliggy, and Gaode. The article does not contain any information regarding Chinese politics or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: The 2026 CCTV Spring Festival Gala, infused with themes of family, national prosperity, and innovation, showcased a blend of traditional culture and modern technology. The gala incorporated elements of folk customs, cultural symbols, and scientific innovations, with performances taking place in Beijing and four other branch venues. Notably, advancements in AI, robotics, and XR technologies were integrated into the performances, highlighting China's technological prowess. The show aimed to connect the warmth of individual families with the grand vision of a flourishing nation, emphasizing unity and shared cultural heritage. The article did not mention United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: Please provide the article you would like me to summarize. I need the text of the article to provide an accurate summary for professional analysts of Chinese politics.
By: 本报记者 杨 旭
The lights of thousands of homes reflect reunion, and the beautiful rivers and mountains are bathed in the spring sunshine. As the Lunar New Year of the Bingwu Horse approaches, the land of China is decorated with lanterns and colors, bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, with the country and the family shining together.
At the 2026 Spring Festival group visit, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) encouraged people of all ethnic groups across the country to "whip their horses and move forward bravely on the new journey of Chinese-style modernization, and jointly create a better future."
Reunion is the unchanging theme. The warmth of the "small family" converges into the prosperity of the "big family." Thousands of households spend the festival together, condensing the warmth of family harmony, the confidence of a promising future, and the surging unity of striving forward.
The road home is getting smoother and smoother.
The road home is the most familiar memory and the warmest journey.
This Lunar New Year's Eve, Yang Chun can finally reunite with his family.
As a passenger driver for Xinjiang Delixi High-speed Railway International Passenger Transport Station Co., Ltd., Lunar New Year's Eve in previous years was Yang Chun's busiest time. "If we rest, how will passengers return home?"
Traveling between Urumqi (乌鲁木齐), Xinjiang (新疆), and Korla (库尔勒市), Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture (巴音郭楞蒙古自治州), is nearly 500 kilometers and a 7-hour drive, with many sections running along steep cliffs. "In previous years, I would drive on Lunar New Year's Eve and stay in Korla (库尔勒) at night, and then go home on the first day of the new year." Every time Yang Chun drove, his family hid their concerns in their hearts.
At the end of 2025, the world's longest highway tunnel, the Tianshan Victory Tunnel (天山胜利隧道), opened, and the Urumqi-尉犁 Expressway (乌尉高速) was put into full use. The one-way travel time from Urumqi (乌鲁木齐) to Korla (库尔勒) was reduced to 3.5 hours.
Departing from Urumqi (乌鲁木齐) at noon on Lunar New Year's Eve and arriving at Korla (库尔勒) Passenger Transport Station before 4 pm, picking up another group of passengers, Yang Chun called home before starting the car: "Wait for me for the New Year's Eve dinner."
Ma Qianfei's (马前飞) home is in Huaxi Village (华溪村), Zhongyi Township (中益乡), Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County (石柱土家族自治县), Chongqing (重庆). The village is located in the hinterland of the Wuling Mountains (武陵山区), with high mountains and deep valleys, steep slopes and sharp bends.
On the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, Ma Qianfei (马前飞) finished purchasing New Year goods from Shuangfu International Agricultural Trade City (双福国际农贸城) in the urban area, took a ride with a fellow villager, and sped along the provincial highway. In just over 3 hours, he stopped in front of his own courtyard.
"In the past, going to the city was a winding road, first taking a motorcycle and then changing to a bus. During festivals, people who work outside rarely came back. It's not that they didn't want to, it's just that the road was difficult to travel." Ma Qianfei (马前飞) vividly remembers the once troubling dirt road.
During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, Zhongyi Township (中益乡) built 129 kilometers of roads connecting villages, opening up the "last kilometer" to people's doorsteps.
With improved roads, the village was named a national key village for rural tourism, and Ma Qianfei's (马前飞) farmhouse is thriving: "I earned 50,000 yuan last year, and I hope the business in the Year of the Horse can be **马不停蹄** (mǎ bù tíng tí - "horse doesn't stop hooves," to press on without stopping)."
At 17:38 on the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, Liu Fajun (刘发军) boarded train G8780 at Guiyang North Station (贵阳北站), Guizhou (贵州), embarking on his journey home.
"I never thought that a waiting list ticket could 'make up' for a temporary train!" This construction worker from Bijie (毕节), Guizhou (贵州), returning home from Yiwu (义乌), Zhejiang (浙江), was full of joy.
Liu Fajun's (刘发军) "never thought" is not accidental.
On the screen of the Guiyang Station (贵阳车站) dispatch center, big data automatically refreshes the waiting list data, helping to analyze and accurately add temporary trains stopping at Qianxi (黔西), Zhenxiong (镇雄), Xingwen (兴文) and other stations where migrant workers are concentrated.
"It's like the shelves in the supermarket are empty. In the past, we relied entirely on experience to replenish goods. Today, we might replenish too much, and tomorrow it won't be enough. Now with big data, we know in advance what customers want and replenish goods accurately," said Wang Xiaoqun (王啸群), deputy section chief of the passenger transport section of Guiyang Station (贵阳车站).
Last year, the country is expected to add about 8,000 kilometers of expressways and more than 2,000 kilometers of high-speed railways. The increasingly dense transportation network helps turn longing into reunion and warmth flows through China.
The reunion dinner is getting more and more sumptuous.
In the New Year's Eve dinner, people taste the strong family affection and experience a better life.
"Serving the dishes! Taste this 'Hainan Family Reunion'!" On Lunar New Year's Eve, in the home of Feng Ruimei (冯瑞梅), a veteran of the Qiongya Column (琼崖纵队), in Haikou (海口), Hainan (海南), four generations gathered under one roof, and her daughter-in-law Wang Huihua (王惠华) brought the steaming dishes to the table.
This year's "Hainan Family Reunion" is a little different. On February 5, the "zero tariff" policy for daily consumer goods for island residents was officially released. Wang Huihua (王惠华) planned to try some new tricks: in addition to local ingredients, she also added imported ingredients from Southeast Asia and other places, "It's not only delicious, but also saves nearly 20% on expenses."
"Only when the country is prosperous can our lives be good." Feng Ruimei (冯瑞梅) looked at the reunion and happiness of the "small family" and hoped for the prosperity of the "big family."
On the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, Nanda Temple Village (南大庙村), Luanping County (滦平县), Hebei (河北). In front of the brand-new tile-roofed house, Zhang Yuquan's (张玉权) two grandsons were tiptoeing to paste the big red "Fu" character on the wooden door. "This is the first Spring Festival we've spent in our new house. These two words are just right!" Zhang Yuquan (张玉权) exclaimed.
During the flood season last year, Luanping County (滦平县) suffered severe disasters, and the walls of Zhang Yuquan's (张玉权) house cracked and were included in the reconstruction list.
"The total budget for building the house was more than 200,000 yuan, and the government subsidized nearly 90,000 yuan. Now the new house is not only structurally safe, but also has independent bathrooms and air-energy devices," said Zhang Yuquan (张玉权).
Before long, delicacies such as steamed meat, fried meatballs, and stewed ribs were placed on the table, and the family of six sat around the table. Zhang Yuquan (张玉权) planned: in the new year, to tidy up the yard more neatly and add desks for the children.
In Luanping (滦平), many disaster-stricken people like Zhang Yuquan (张玉权) are spending the New Year's Eve in warm new homes.
In the past 5 years, the national per capita disposable income has jumped from 35,100 yuan to 43,400 yuan, and fiscal investment in the field of people's livelihood accounts for more than 70% of the national general public budget expenditure. Development is moving forward, and people's livelihood is warming.
The dreams in our hearts are becoming more and more real.
Personal ideals move forward with the times and advance with the country.
"The monitoring traffic is too large, and there is a possibility of exceeding the threshold." "Control the traffic limit and contact us for expansion at any time!"
On New Year's Eve, on the fifth floor of "Model Speed Space" (模速空间) in Shanghai (上海), the lights of Jiding Shuchuang (Shanghai) Technology Co., Ltd. (极顶数创（上海）科技有限公司) were still on. Founder Ji Pan (嵇盼) and several engineers were nervously discussing solutions to sudden situations around the computer.
Just a week ago, Jiding Shuchuang's (极顶数创) first 3D large model was launched overseas. "Overseas users don't celebrate the New Year, so the server must be stable." Ji Pan (嵇盼) and several employees took the initiative to stay on duty.
In the office, couplets with the phrases "**一马当先**" (yī mǎ dāng xiān - "one horse takes the lead," to take the lead) and "**马到成功**" (mǎ dào chéng gōng - "success upon the horse's arrival," instant success) were neatly pasted on the wall.
A few minutes later, the sudden problem was properly handled, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Ji Pan (嵇盼) invited everyone to eat New Year's Eve dinner: braised pork, taro ribs, eight-treasure rice, dumplings... They came from Jiangxi (江西), Shandong (山东), Hubei (湖北) and other places. There were specialties sent from their hometowns on the table, as well as meals just delivered by takeout.
"The reason for choosing to start a business with large models is because this track is in line with the country's strategic direction. We hope to light up this Spring Festival with our struggle and contribute to domestic large models," Ji Pan (嵇盼) said with confidence.
"I can finally go home for New Year's Eve dinner this year." Early in the morning on the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, Han Haiyang (韩海洋) packed his luggage and boarded the bus to his hometown, Lingqiu County (灵丘县), Shanxi (山西).
Han Haiyang (韩海洋) is an employee of the Comprehensive Mining Team 1 of Tongfa Dongzhouyao Coal Industry Co., Ltd. (同发东周窑煤业有限公司) of Shanxi Jineng Holding Coal Industry Group (山西晋能控股煤业集团). In the past few years, from New Year's Eve to the third day of the Lunar New Year, he lived in the unit and worked underground every day.
In July last year, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized during his inspection in Shanxi (山西) that "the focus should be on energy transformation, industrial upgrading and moderately diversified development."
At that time, the company's intelligent transformation was proceeding in an orderly manner. In August 2025, the first phase of the transformation was completed, building an intelligent network covering the entire underground scene: some processes of traditional manual operations were written into intelligent programs and can be operated remotely.
The transformation effect was immediately apparent: the average working time of employees underground was reduced by 65%, the equipment failure rate was reduced by 42%, and the single-shift time for comprehensive mining operations was shortened by more than 1 hour.
"In the past, when manually building hydraulic supports underground, it was easy to be hit by falling gangue. Now with intelligent monitoring and safety early warning, everything can be controlled remotely. Not only is the work easier, but it is also safer. We have really tasted the sweetness of industrial upgrading!" Han Haiyang (韩海洋) said with emotion.
As of the end of last year, Shanxi (山西) had built 400 intelligent coal mines, and the proportion of advanced coal production capacity reached 84%.
Before noon, Han Haiyang (韩海洋) arrived home. Inside the house, his mother was making his favorite oat dumplings. "At midnight, the whole family will go out to light a bonfire, hoping that life will be prosperous in the coming year," Han Haiyang (韩海洋) looked forward to.
The road home is more convenient, the reunion dinner is more sumptuous, and the dreams in our hearts are coming true. This is the most beautiful scene of the new era projected in everyone's heart.
(Comprehensive report by reporters Jiang Yunlong (蒋云龙), Wang Xinyue (王欣悦), Huang Xian (黄娴), Dong Zeyang (董泽扬), Shao Yuzi (邵玉姿), Wang Yinxin (王崟欣), and Ma Ruishan (马睿姗) of this newspaper)
Return to TopBy: 新华社记者
As the seasons change, the Year of the Horse welcomes spring.
On February 14, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council held the 2026 Spring Festival gathering at the Great Hall of the People. General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) delivered a speech, extending New Year greetings on behalf of the Party Central Committee and the State Council to people of all ethnic groups across the country, compatriots in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (香港特别行政区), compatriots in the Macao Special Administrative Region (澳门特别行政区), Taiwan compatriots, and overseas Chinese.
The warm and powerful speech was inspiring and motivating, uniting the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups across the country with the majestic power to stride forward on a new journey, and stirring up the heroic confidence to work together to write a better future.
Making Progress and Achieving Fruitful Results
On the first day of the Spring Festival holiday, the Beibu Gulf Port (北部湾港) in Guangxi was still a day of handling all kinds of goods and racing against time.
"The harvest of the past year is substantial, and it is the result of the joint efforts of the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups across the country." This sentence of General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) resonated deeply with Hu Huaping (胡华平), Chairman of Guangxi Beibu Gulf Port Group (广西北部湾港集团): "2025 was the year when our country successfully completed the main goals and tasks of economic and social development throughout the year, and the '14th Five-Year Plan' came to a successful conclusion. It was also a year when the construction of the Beibu Gulf International Gateway Port took solid steps. The grand blueprint of the national strategy is being transformed into a real picture of port development."
Saying goodbye to the old and welcoming the new, the atmosphere is ever-changing. At the Harbin Ice and Snow World (哈尔滨冰雪大世界), the number of tourists continues to grow, and laughter rises and falls.
After carefully studying General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) speech, Sun Zemin (孙泽旻), Deputy Minister of Marketing Department of Ice and Snow World, felt deeply about "China's economy moving forward against pressure and developing towards new and better": "In recent years, 'cold resources' have continued to be transformed into 'hot engines' for cultural tourism consumption, and the ice and snow industry has become a new growth point. We truly feel the surging vitality and inherent resilience of the Chinese economy."
During the Spring Festival holiday, the Jinggangshan Revolutionary Museum (井冈山革命博物馆) in Jiangxi ushered in a surge of visitors.
"General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) once again emphasized 'unswervingly promoting comprehensive and strict Party governance,' and we have a deeper understanding of how to give full play to the educational function of museums in the new era." Huang Junfeng (黄俊峰), a docent at the museum, said, "We must continue to integrate stories of clean governance culture and stories of strict Party governance into the museum's explanations, give new era connotations to red culture, and make revolutionary tradition education more infectious."
The Sanjiangyuan (三江源) is as clear as a wash. Around the Spring Festival, it is the key period for forest and grassland fire prevention. Qiu Duojie (求多杰), a 29-year-old forest ranger in Yuegai Town (约改镇), Qumalai County (曲麻莱县), Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (玉树藏族自治州), Qinghai Province, is busy on the front line of patrol, without relaxing in the slightest.
"The General Secretary attaches great importance to ecological civilization construction." Studying General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) speech, Qiu Duojie (求多杰) felt a heavy responsibility on his shoulders. "In recent years, the grass has become greener, the water has become clearer, and there are more and more wild animals. The function of the 'Water Tower of China' continues to be steadily improved. We must do a good job in patrol work to make our hometown more beautiful."
Chinese New Year, World New Year, each year is better than the last.
The Ancient Culture Street (古文化街) is hung with big red lanterns, the Yangliuqing (杨柳青) woodblock New Year paintings are uniquely experienced, and the Guangdong Guild Hall (广东会馆) has a series of good shows... During the Spring Festival holiday, the streets and alleys of Tianjin (天津) are full of New Year's flavor, and many foreign faces shuttle among them.
Yu Pengzhou (于鹏洲), Director of the Tianjin Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism (天津市文化和旅游局), recalled the grand occasion of foreign guests gathering in Tianjin (天津) at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (上合组织) Tianjin Summit (天津峰会), which is still fresh in his memory: "Following the right path, there are many fellow travelers. In the process of constantly opening our hearts to embrace the world, the world sees a confident and open China, moving firmly towards the beautiful future of building a community with a shared future for mankind!"
Going All Out to Seek Development
Liu Jian (刘建), a Meituan (美团) rider from Henan (河南) who has been working in Beijing (北京) for 9 years, was invited to participate in the Spring Festival gathering.
"This time I was able to come to the Great Hall of the People (人民大会堂), I felt the warmth of home and my heart was full of gratitude. In the new year, I want to lead the riders around me, keep in mind the General Secretary's instructions, deliver every order well, and serve every customer well, so that our new employment group can make greater contributions to the people's happiness," said Liu Jian (刘建).
As the New Year's flavor gradually increases, from cities to villages, there are still people sticking to their posts and still people rushing around.
In Jiaxing (嘉兴), Zhejiang (浙江), the Red Boat Communist Party Member Service Team (红船共产党员服务队) of State Grid Jiaxing Power Supply Company (国网嘉兴供电公司) has entered a state of intense Spring Festival duty, providing all-weather power supply for the masses. After studying General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) speech, Jiang Xin (江欣), a member of the service team, felt a great responsibility: "The General Secretary's holiday greetings made us front-line workers feel warm. This year is the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. We must inherit and promote the Red Boat Spirit (红船精神), always remember our original aspiration and mission, and be good 'guardians' of the people's happiness and urban stability."
In Pingtang (平塘), Guizhou (贵州), the "China Sky Eye" (中国天眼) operates as usual during the Spring Festival. Jiang Peng (姜鹏), Deputy Director of the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院国家天文台), stared at the instrument in front of him, recording the murmurs from the depths of the universe.
"2026 is the opening year of the '15th Five-Year Plan'. General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized the need to conscientiously implement the deployment of the Fourth Plenary Session, which pointed out the direction for our progress." Jiang Peng (姜鹏) said, "Faced with the fierce competition in the field of radio astronomy internationally, we must strengthen original innovation and key core technology research, and show new achievements in accelerating high-level scientific and technological self-reliance."
In the Xiuyuan Community (秀苑小区) in Hongkou District (虹口区), Shanghai (上海), a series of festive cultural and sports activities are both entertaining and educational, stimulating residents' enthusiasm for participating in grassroots governance.
Li Qian (李倩), Secretary of the Party General Branch of Xiuyuan Residential District (秀苑居民区) in Liangcheng New Village Street (凉城新村街道), witnessed the changes brought about by Party building leading grassroots governance in recent years: "General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out that 'we should focus on guaranteeing and improving people's livelihood, and maintain overall social stability,' which makes me feel that my work is very valuable. My colleagues and I will continue to do practical things for the people's livelihood and strive to exchange the residents' 'peaceful blessings' for 'dedicated blessings'."
In the northwest of the motherland, the Changcheng Garden Community (长城花园社区) in Jinfeng District (金凤区), Yinchuan (银川), Ningxia (宁夏) is decorated with lanterns and the aroma of food is wafting. This is a large community where many ethnic groups live together. The grassroots Party organization promotes the unity of all ethnic groups like a family through cultural and recreational activities and optimizing convenient and beneficial services for the people.
"'Our Party is born for the people and thrives because of the people.' The General Secretary's words are so good. Happiness is achieved through hard work. We must unite more closely around the Party Central Committee, hug each other tightly like pomegranate seeds, work together, and create a better life," said Su Fang (苏芳), a Hui resident of Changcheng Garden Community (长城花园社区).
Before the Spring Festival, more than 100 mu of Artemisia selengensis in the planting base of Siyi Village (四邑村), Jiayu County (嘉鱼县), Hubei Province (湖北省) were in the harvest period. The villagers were busy between the large sheds, sending fresh vegetables to thousands of households.
Deng Zhiping (邓志平), Secretary of the Village Party Committee, said: "From the beginning of the year to the end of the year, we work together for our dreams and strive for happiness. The villagers feel very promising. We will keep in mind the General Secretary's instructions to 'always adhere to the people first', implement the spirit of the Central No. 1 Document, and make the rural characteristic industry a happy industry to help more people get rich and increase their income."
Firmly Confident and Opening a New Chapter
Chang'an (长安) is like a sea of lights, and the galloping horse celebrates the arrival of spring. As night falls, the "horse" themed lanterns on the Xi'an City Wall (西安城墙) are shining brightly.
Looking at the smiling faces of the tourists, Ma Jinjiang (马锦江), a staff member of the Xi'an City Wall Scenic Area (西安城墙景区), is full of confidence in the New Year: "General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) said that in Chinese culture, the horse is a symbol of strength, vigor, and self-improvement, indicating the prospect of steady progress and prosperity. Just like this galloping horse lantern group, we must carry the sharpness of 'taking the lead' and tell the story of Xi'an (西安) to more people's hearts."
In the pilot test base of the Xiong'an Science and Innovation Center (雄安科创中心), the machines in the workshop are roaring and the technicians are busy running around. "Xiong'an High-tech Zone (雄安高新区) has recently been upgraded to a national high-tech zone, injecting new impetus into our scientific and technological achievement transformation work." Yang Yunjie (杨云杰), the person in charge of the base's operation, said that he will keep in mind General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) instructions, focus on strengthening the construction of scientific and technological innovation capabilities, and strive to build a new era of innovation highlands and entrepreneurial hot spots.
Dreaming of a new journey, striving to welcome the New Year.
"As long as we maintain strategic focus, move forward firmly step by step, and steadily advance stage by stage, the cause of the Party and the country will surely accumulate small victories into big victories, and our goals will surely be achieved." General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) warm and kind speech inspired every striver.
Shi Lei (石磊), Chairman of Tongfu Microelectronics Co., Ltd. (通富微电子股份有限公司) in Nantong (南通), Jiangsu Province (江苏省), said: "Facing the '15th Five-Year Plan', we will continuously catch up with the world's advanced level by optimizing the layout of production capacity and breaking through key technologies, and show the responsibility and commitment of private enterprises in accelerating the cultivation of new quality productive forces."
After listening to General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) speech, Zhang Kairan (张凯然), Director of the Party-Masses Service Center of Gaoyang Town (高阳镇) in Xiaoyi City (孝义市), Shanxi Province (山西省), clarified the next work goal: "Gaoyang Town (高阳镇) once faced the problem of transformation and development of a resource-based economy. We must adhere to the principle of achieving political achievements for the people and achieving political achievements through hard work, actively implement the national carbon emission reduction goals, develop new quality productive forces in accordance with local conditions, and focus on promoting high-quality development."
On the China-Laos Railway (中老铁路), the passenger flow during the Spring Festival travel season remains high. Huang Yunhai (黄云海), a "post-95s" who came here after graduating from university, became a line worker. He said that he will stick to his post with a high sense of responsibility and mission during the Spring Festival this year, practice General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) instructions of "strengthening confidence in victory and maintaining high morale" with practical actions, show the spiritual outlook of young people in the new era in ordinary positions, and strive to gallop with the power of youth.
The broad masses of cadres and people unanimously stated that in the Year of the Horse, they will invigorate the spirit of the dragon and horse, show the courage to whip the horse, and maintain the energy of never stopping, and strive to write a new chapter in building a strong country and national rejuvenation on the new journey of Chinese-style modernization.
(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, February 15)
Return to TopFebruary 16th is Lunar New Year's Eve. Across the country, the atmosphere is full of the joy of the New Year. People gather happily for reunions, enjoying happy times.
Return to TopBy: 周珊珊
"Strengthen the community's functions of serving the people, providing convenience to the people, and ensuring the safety of the people, so that residents have needs and the community has services." Entering the community, listening to the voices of the people, and asking about their well-being, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) always keeps the concept of grassroots governance in mind.
During the Spring Festival holiday, a resident needed to process medical insurance in a different location. After contacting the community grid member, the processing procedure was sent immediately. Learning that elderly people could not operate smartphones and had difficulty moving around, the agent provided careful guidance and timely solutions at their doorstep. From management to service, grassroots communities solve problems for the people, allowing the people to truly feel the warmth of governance.
With both a lively atmosphere and human touch, the people's sense of gain is reflected in the action of "responding to the people's needs." In the past year, 11,000 new meal assistance points have been added in communities and villages, allowing more than 3 million elderly people to eat hot meals at their doorsteps; the newly opened childcare classes in residential areas have reduced the cost of raising children; and more and more "love stations" have become year-round supply stations for busy workers... One by one, these things are visible and heartwarming.
Today's China (中国) is striding forward in development. It is precisely because thousands of urban and rural communities bring everyone together that there is less alienation and more closeness between people. By putting our hearts and souls into doing a good and practical job of handling matters involving the people, we will surely make the community the most reassuring and safe harbor for residents, and gather greater strength to move forward.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 胡婧怡
Haven't seen the person, but heard the voice first.
Just stepping into the Chang'an Community (长安社区) Party and Mass Service Center in Dadong District (大东区), Shenyang (沈阳) City, Liaoning (辽宁) Province, before the Spring Festival, bursts of laughter could be heard.
Hand-woven "Chinese knots" and "Everything Goes Well" piled up like a small mountain, "Fu" characters and Spring Festival couplets covered the walls... a "Hundred Family Banquet" is about to begin.
In January 2025, when General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) visited Liaoning (辽宁) to visit and comfort grassroots cadres and the masses before the Spring Festival, he came here to investigate, emphasizing that "we must pay more attention to caring for the elderly and the young" and "a happy life for every household, and happiness for the old and the young, is a beautiful scene in the world."
The practical matters concerning people's livelihoods that the General Secretary cares about are becoming tangible and accessible daily routines for the residents of Chang'an Community (长安社区) one after another.
Walking and looking around the community, the changes are overwhelming: aerial cables are buried underground, pipelines are renovated, and public parking spaces, charging piles, fitness equipment, etc. are all available; the Party and Mass Service Center is equipped with a community library, calligraphy and painting classroom, happy elderly canteen, etc... After the renovation, it has taken on a new look.
Zhu Lirong (朱丽荣), a resident who lives on the first floor, talked about a small episode of "loss and recovery" in the renovation of the community.
Previously, in order to cooperate with the community renovation, she "reluctantly parted with" and cleaned up the small vegetable garden she had carefully managed behind her house. In 2025, the community responded to residents' suggestions and opened up a public vegetable garden in a corner of the square to facilitate parent-child activities. Zhu Lirong (朱丽荣) volunteered to be a volunteer and led everyone to plant fruits and vegetables. She couldn't help but sigh: "It was worth giving up the vegetable garden!"
At noon, the "Hundred Family Banquet" officially began. The community's Happy Elderly Canteen prepared 10 reunion dishes for each table, and the residents brought their own specialties.
"Usually there is a community canteen, so I can cook at least one less meal a day. My grandson is taking interest courses such as dough sculpture and physical fitness in the community during the winter vacation," said Zhu Lirong (朱丽荣).
On the Chang'an Community (长安社区) activity notice board, life services and cultural and sports activities before the Spring Festival, such as haircuts, convenient markets, and Spring Festival galas, are being implemented one after another. "Not only should we ensure the safety and health of residents, but also take care of everyone's spiritual needs," said Cao Xue (曹雪), Secretary of the Party Committee of Chang'an Community (长安社区).
"Last year, I wrote a couplet: 'Family harmony, neighborly kindness, happiness and joy, national prosperity, people's strength, Chang'an (长安) peace'," said Wang Lixiang (王立祥), a resident with gray hair, showing his newly created Spring Festival couplet to his neighbors, "A year has passed, everyone see - 'Chang'an (长安) is renewed to warm the old and protect the young, benefiting the people's livelihood, and the small courtyard hides the spring scenery; policies nourish the heart, promote industry, and settle down, pursuing dreams, and the big city shows a grand plan'!"
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 王云娜
On the eve of the Spring Festival, the ancient city of Jieyang (揭阳) in Guangdong (广东) is decorated with lanterns and bustling with tourists. In the department store next to Jinxian Gate (进贤门), the special promotion event "Guangdong Goods Travel the World, Jieyang Premium Products on Display" showcases more than 1,500 "Jieyang Goodies" from about 150 local enterprises.
In front of the booth of Guangdong Kangfu Electric Co., Ltd. (广东康夫电器有限公司), a private enterprise in Jieyang (揭阳), hair dryers, curling irons, and razors attract many visitors. In 2025, Kangfu Electric (康夫电器) sold tens of millions of hair dryers, with 1/4 sold to Europe, America, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia.
How can a small hair dryer travel the world?
"Developing new quality productive forces in accordance with local conditions, and promoting the continuous emergence of new products through technological innovation, so as to win the favor of consumers," said Huang Minnan (黄敏楠), general manager of Kangfu Electric (康夫电器).
Walking into the motor production workshop of Kangfu Electric (康夫电器), as the robotic arms operate at high speed, small and precise motors come off the production line one by one. "The speed of the motors we produce can reach 130,000 revolutions per minute, and the wind speed has increased from 70 meters per second to 80 meters per second," Huang Minnan (黄敏楠) told reporters.
"Where is the difficulty?"
"The faster the motor speed, the higher the wind speed. After entering the hair dryer, it 'bumps around' inside. We have to design the air duct reasonably to make the wind softer," Huang Minnan (黄敏楠) explained.
"Is it worth investing tens of millions of yuan in research and development every year?"
"It's too worth it!" Huang Minnan (黄敏楠) said, "Only with good products can we stand firm and go far. We not only conduct our own technology research and development, but also cooperate with many universities to expand the innovative talent team."
"'Guangdong Goods Travel the World, Jieyang Premium Products on Display' event has opened up a new world for us. Not only is the booth free to enter, but we can also conduct live broadcasts and retail sales here," Huang Minnan (黄敏楠) said. The ancient city of Jieyang (揭阳) is a popular tourist destination, and more tourists come during the Spring Festival holiday, so more people will learn about the products.
"We have selected a batch of high-quality, well-reputed local specialty products for centralized display and sales," said Gao Wenge (高文阁), a second-level researcher at the Jieyang Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology (揭阳市工业和信息化局). The special promotion event creates a new Spring Festival "carnival" for citizens and tourists, integrating premium product display and sales, cultural experience, and consumption.
Leading industrial innovation with technological innovation, consolidating the foundation of development by improving quality, and broadening sales channels by empowering the platform... Including Jieyang (揭阳), Guangdong (广东) is introducing more support policies to help high-quality "Guangdong goods" open up the market.
"With the support and drive of good policies, we will fully promote the brand to go overseas and help 'Guangdong goods' shine on the global stage," Huang Minnan (黄敏楠) said with confidence.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 张天培
"Every time we come back from patrolling the border, our eyebrows and eyelashes are all white, so the villagers call us the 'Frost Flower Couple'," said police officer Shen Xin (沈欣), who likes this name very much.
Luoguhe Village (洛古河村), Mohe (漠河), Heilongjiang (黑龙江), is bitterly cold. Just as dawn breaks, the reporter follows Shen Xin (沈欣) and her husband Shi Xianqiang (史先强) to patrol the boundary river. Each breath condenses into white mist, instantly forming fine frost flowers between their eyebrows and eyelashes.
This small village, hidden deep in the Greater Khingan Mountains (大兴安岭), has a minimum temperature of minus 53 degrees Celsius. Local police officers joke, "We only have two seasons here, one is winter, and the other is 'sometime in winter'."
In order to promote the advancement of police services and create a "police station by the people's side," the Arctic Border Police Station (北极边境派出所) of the Da Hinggan Ling Border Management Detachment (大兴安岭边境管理支队) of the Heilongjiang Entry-Exit Border Inspection General Station (黑龙江出入境边防检查总站) established the Luoguhe Couple Police Office (洛古河夫妻警务室) in Luoguhe Village (洛古河村).
Five years ago, Shen Xin (沈欣) and Shi Xianqiang (史先强) took over the relay baton of rooting themselves in the borderlands and guarding the border for the people, becoming the second "border-guarding couple" in the northernmost region. Daily patrols are their important responsibility to safeguard border security.
"If you accidentally step on an ice crack, it's terrible. You could fall into the river, and you'll lose temperature in 10 minutes." Recalling when his foot got stuck in an ice crack during a border patrol not long ago, Shi Xianqiang (史先强) still has lingering fears.
The reporter couldn't help but ask, "What is the significance of patrolling the border in a sparsely populated, extremely cold region?" Shi Xianqiang (史先强) did not hesitate at all: "There is no small matter on the border. Staying here is the meaning. When people's hearts are united, the border is stable."
Luoguhe Village (洛古河村), a small road leads directly to the riverbank; the wooden houses on both sides of the road are unique and tidy.
"Working in a border village requires not only safeguarding national border security, but also keeping the warmth and well-being of the people in mind." Shi Xianqiang (史先强) has to walk around the village several times a day, and he is very clear about the situation of the 71 households in the village.
Villager Wen Mingxia (温明霞) runs a homestay, and business has been good in recent years. "I'm here to update your police-civilian contact card so you can find us at any time." The first thing Shi Xianqiang (史先强) does when visiting is to care about the needs of the villagers.
"It takes more than an hour to drive from the village to the town, and it's not convenient to handle documents or buy medicine. Every time the couple patrols, they collect our needs and help us communicate to get things done," Wen Mingxia (温明霞) said, deeply moved.
"The 'small things' of the people are our big things," Shi Xianqiang (史先强) said.
In the daily visits, Shi Xianqiang (史先强) and Shen Xin (沈欣), this "border-guarding couple," have forged a deep relationship with the villagers. Today, Luoguhe Village (洛古河村) has given the title of seventy-second honorary villager to this "Frost Flower Couple."
"The motherland is the 'big family,' and there is no small matter on the border. Only when the 'big family' is peaceful can the 'small family' be happy," said Shen Xin (沈欣).
Return to TopOn February 14, President Xi Jinping (习近平) sent congratulatory messages to Lourenço, the rotating chair of the African Union and President of Angola, and Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, to express warm congratulations to African countries and their people on the convening of the 39th African Union Summit. African figures interviewed by this newspaper stated that President Xi Jinping's (习近平) congratulatory message demonstrated China's support for African countries' unity and self-reliance, and its high regard for further promoting the development of China-Africa relations. Deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Africa will bring more new opportunities for both sides to pursue their modernization dreams together, and jointly write a new chapter in the all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.
"China adheres to true multilateralism and supports African development with practical actions"
President Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out that the world is currently undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, and the Global South is growing stronger. In the past year, the African Union has united and led African countries to actively advance the integration process, firmly defend Africa's legitimate rights and interests, and continuously enhance its international status and influence.
"President Xi Jinping's (习近平) congratulatory message reflects China's support for Africa's unity and development," said Helmy, a member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, in an interview with this newspaper. "Currently, the African continent faces multiple challenges such as geopolitical conflicts and climate change. China adheres to true multilateralism and supports African development with practical actions, injecting confidence and impetus into South-South cooperation."
"President Xi Jinping's (习近平) congratulatory message is inspiring, indicating that China cherishes the traditional friendship between Africa and China, and is determined to promote deeper and more practical cooperation between Africa and China," said Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area. He added that China's Belt and Road Initiative, Global Development Initiative, and other initiatives have helped improve regional connectivity, drive industrial development, and enhance people's well-being, profoundly changing the development landscape of the African continent.
Bongani Majola, Director of the International Relations and Partnerships Department of the National School of Government of South Africa, stated that both African countries and China are important members of the Global South. China is actively promoting the great practice of Chinese-style modernization and has accumulated experience in infrastructure construction, large-scale poverty reduction practices, and public governance. This experience can provide a reference for Global South countries, including African countries, to solve the problem of unbalanced development.
"Faced with global challenges, African countries and China adhere to mutual respect and equal consultation, becoming a model of solidarity and cooperation among Global South countries," said Balu Demissie, a senior advisor at the Ethiopian Policy Research Institute. Taking Ethiopia as an example, projects such as the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway and the Eastern Industrial Zone have boosted local employment growth and brought tangible benefits to the people. "Africa-China cooperation focuses on development and emphasizes practical results, fully demonstrating the spirit of South-South cooperation," Demissie said.
"Providing new opportunities for Africa and China to jointly pursue the dream of modernization"
President Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized that in the face of an international situation intertwined with change and turmoil, China is firmly committed to safeguarding world peace, promoting common development, and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. China will fully implement zero-tariff measures for 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China from May 1, 2026, and will continue to promote the signing of agreements on economic partnerships for common development, and further expand access for African products to China by upgrading the "green channel."
"This series of measures not only reflects China's determination to continuously expand high-level opening up to the outside world, but also provides new opportunities for Africa and China to jointly pursue the dream of modernization," said Dennis Munene, Executive Director of the China-Africa Center at the Africa Policy Institute in Kenya. In recent years, with the help of preferential policies such as zero tariffs and "green channels," Kenya's specialty products such as fresh avocados and wild anchovies have accelerated their entry into the Chinese market. "China's huge consumer market provides broad opportunities for African specialty agricultural products," Munene said. "Agricultural trade cooperation is becoming a new highlight of Africa-China cooperation."
On February 6, China and South Africa signed a framework agreement on economic partnership for common development, making South Africa the thirty-third African country to sign such an agreement with China. "China has maintained its position as South Africa's largest trading partner for many years, and the signing of the agreement will help promote the sustained and healthy development of bilateral trade and industrial cooperation," said Koffi Kouakou, a senior researcher at the Africa-China Research Center at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa. Against the backdrop of rising unilateralism and protectionism, China's adherence to high-level opening up to the outside world provides opportunities for the development of all countries and contributes to maintaining the global multilateral trading system.
"Looking back on the development of Africa-China relations, cooperation in various fields has been full of vitality," said Susan Kumaralo, Chief Operating Officer of the South African National Development Agency. While achieving its own development achievements, China actively shares its successful experience with African partners, providing valuable support for Africa to accelerate its modernization. "The full implementation of zero tariffs for 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China and other measures are in line with the actual development needs of African countries. These measures will significantly enhance the global competitiveness of African high-quality specialty products," Kumaralo said.
"The full implementation of zero tariffs and the upgrading of the 'green channel' are not only tangible market openings, but also strong support for African industrialization and agricultural modernization," said Helmy. China's adherence to promoting high-level opening up to the outside world and sharing development opportunities with African countries demonstrates the responsibility of a major country.
"A model of solidarity, cooperation and common development among Global South countries"
President Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Africa 70 years ago, the two sides have always shared weal and woe and moved forward side by side. China is willing to work with Africa to inherit historical friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, enhance mutual understanding and affinity, and jointly write a new chapter in the all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.
"This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Africa. China has always adhered to the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and pursuing the greater good and shared interests, and has deepened practical cooperation and strategic alignment with African countries," said Gerald Mbanda, founder of the Rwanda-based "China Africa Review" website and a veteran media person. A development partnership of mutual respect and win-win cooperation has been formed between African countries and China, which focuses on development, looks to the long term, and helps African countries enhance their capacity for independent development.
"In addition to traditional fields such as infrastructure, public health, and agriculture, China is helping African countries with green and digital transformation in areas such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, and e-commerce, which is in line with the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the vision of the African Union's Agenda 2063," said Alawi Semanda, Director of the Uganda Development Watch Centre. China has become the most trusted friend and partner of African countries, and more and more African countries hope to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China.
"Africa-China cooperation has a clear historical logic and realistic foundation, and has become a model of solidarity, cooperation and common development among Global South countries," said Majola. "Africa and China are working together to promote modernization, which not only serves the development of both sides, but also explores a new path for human modernization that is more equitable, inclusive, cooperative and win-win."
2026 is the "China-Africa Year of People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges." "In recent years, people-to-people and cultural exchanges between Africa and China have continued to deepen, and the foundation for cooperation has become more solid. Confucius Institutes have taken root in many African countries, becoming an important platform for promoting mutual learning among civilizations. 'Studying in China' has become the choice of more and more African youths," said Gaspard Banyankimbona, Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation of the African Union Commission. He looks forward to deepening cooperation with China in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence and big data, jointly strengthening talent training, scientific research collaboration and innovation ecosystem construction, and helping the digital transformation of the African continent.
"The holding of the 'China-Africa Year of People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges' provides an opportunity to further deepen Africa-China friendship," said Alaa Menshawy, Director of the Luxor Museum in Egypt. Africa and China both have a long history and splendid civilizations. "African countries and China are exploring development paths that respect cultural traditions and national conditions in exchanges and mutual learning, which not only enhances the cultural confidence of Global South countries, but also contributes diverse perspectives and wisdom to global governance," said Alaa Menshawy.
(Reported on February 16 from Addis Ababa, Johannesburg, Nairobi, and Cairo by reporters Dai Kairan (戴楷然), Zou Song (邹松), Zheng Xiang (郑翔), Huang Weixin (黄炜鑫), Huang Peizhao (黄培昭), and Shen Xiaoxiao (沈小晓))
Return to TopXinhua News Agency, Beijing, February 16th - Recently, many national leaders and heads of international organizations have sent messages or letters to Xi Jinping (习近平), General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of the People's Republic of China, to congratulate the Chinese people on the joyous celebration of the Year of the Horse.
Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his sincerest congratulations to President Xi Jinping (习近平), stating that in the past year, the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era has maintained good development and achieved fruitful results. Major cooperation projects have been steadily advanced, Russia and China have achieved mutual visa exemptions and successfully held the Year of Culture, and in 2026, they will jointly launch the "Russia-China Year of Education." He wished the Chinese people happiness, well-being, and **万事如意** (wàn shì rú yì - "ten thousand things as you wish," everything goes well).
Brazilian President Lula wished the people of both countries a prosperous and auspicious Year of the Horse. Brazil is willing to continue expanding cooperation with China and work together to build a Brazil-China community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet.
South African President Ramaphosa stated that South Africa has always regarded China as a key partner and will unswervingly promote a comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era, further strengthen cooperation, promote common prosperity, and make positive contributions to world peace and development.
Saudi King Salman (萨勒曼) and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed (穆罕默德) highly praised the friendly relations between the two countries and expressed their willingness to work with China to promote the development of cooperation in various fields.
UAE President Mohammed (穆罕默德) extended sincere congratulations and best wishes to President Xi Jinping (习近平), wishing China continuous development and progress.
Thongloun Sisoulith (通伦), General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos, expressed his firm belief that under the wise leadership of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党), the Chinese people will surely be able to smoothly embark on a new journey of the "15th Five-Year Plan" and move firmly towards the goal of realizing the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Laos will work with China to successfully host a series of activities commemorating the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the "Laos-China Friendship Year," and build a high-standard, high-quality, and high-level Laos-China community with a shared future.
Raúl Castro (劳尔·卡斯特罗), leader of the Cuban Revolution, and Miguel Díaz-Canel (迪亚斯—卡内尔), First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba, wished the Chinese people all the best in the Year of the Horse, stating that China plays an important role in maintaining world peace, and Cuba is willing to continue to promote the joint construction of a Cuba-China community with a shared future.
Hun Sen (洪森), Chairman of the Cambodian People's Party and President of the Senate, expressed his firm belief that the new Year of the Horse will add luster to the ironclad friendship between Cambodia and China, inject strong impetus into deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, and promote the building of an all-weather Cambodia-China community with a shared future in the new era.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz (夏巴兹) stated that under the visionary leadership of President Xi Jinping (习近平), China has made remarkable achievements in modernization, innovation, and global cooperation. Pakistan firmly supports the four major global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping (习近平) and will continue to deepen all-round strategic cooperation between the two countries, working together towards a better future of lasting friendship and shared prosperity.
Nepalese President Paudel (鲍德尔) and Interim Prime Minister Karki (卡尔基) stated that Nepal-China relations have a long history and believe that mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries will achieve more fruitful results. They wished China continuous development and prosperity.
Sri Lankan President Dissanayake (迪萨纳亚克) stated that Sri Lanka regards China as a trustworthy friend and appreciates China's long-term firm support. He wished China even greater glory in the Year of the Horse, national prosperity and strength, and the people lasting happiness.
Maldivian President Muizzu (穆伊兹) stated that the Maldives adheres to the one-China principle, cherishes the comprehensive strategic partnership between the Maldives and China, and looks forward to deepening pragmatic cooperation to achieve common goals. He wished China continued development and progress and lasting prosperity.
Kyrgyz President Zhaparov (扎帕罗夫) stated that under the personal care of President Xi Jinping (习近平), relations between the two countries have been continuously elevated, and friendly cooperation covers all key areas, which is in line with the fundamental interests of both peoples. He wished the friendly Chinese people peace, prosperity, and lasting prosperity.
Uzbek President Mirziyoyev (米尔济约耶夫) stated that in the festive atmosphere of celebrating the Spring Festival, he wished the friendship between Uzbekistan and China would continue to be consolidated for generations to come. Uzbekistan is willing to work with China to promote all-round cooperation between the two countries to a higher level and release more potential.
Azerbaijani President Aliyev (阿利耶夫) stated that the Spring Festival symbolizes peace and harmony and believes that the relations and traditional friendship between the two countries will continue to deepen, bilateral cooperation will be further expanded, and the two peoples will be better benefited. He wished the friendly Chinese people lasting peace and prosperity.
President Sassou (萨苏) of the Republic of the Congo wished President Xi Jinping (习近平) and all the Chinese people all the best, stating that 2026 is the "Year of China-Africa People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges," and he believes that increasingly close people-to-people and cultural exchanges will help deepen Africa-China relations and better promote the well-being of both peoples.
Kenyan President Ruto (鲁托) stated that as China joyously welcomes the Year of the Horse, he wished China prosperity and strength and wished the construction of the Kenya-China community with a shared future new achievements, realizing the common vision of the two countries.
Zambian President Hichilema (希奇莱马) stated that the horse symbolizes freedom, confidence, and strength, and he believes that China will be more prosperous in the Year of the Horse, opening up an innovative and harmonious future. He is willing to continue to deepen the friendship and cooperation between the two countries, work together for development, and contribute to global peace and stability. He wished the Chinese people happiness, well-being, unity, and progress.
Sierra Leonean President Bio (比奥) wished China prosperity and strength and the people peace and contentment, and wished Sierra Leone-China relations continued to strengthen, cooperation between the two countries continued to deepen, and the friendship between the two peoples became even closer.
Senegalese President Faye (法耶) wished the friendly Chinese people happiness, well-being, and a prosperous life, and expressed his willingness to work with China to continuously strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
Ghanaian President Mahama (马哈马) stated that under the personal leadership of President Xi Jinping (习近平), relations between the two countries have achieved significant development. Ghana is willing to work with China to continuously strive for the prosperity and progress of the international community, especially the Global South, and the well-being of the people.
Comorian President Azali (阿扎利) wished China a greater influence on the international stage and continued new achievements on the correct and great road of pursuing the common interests of the Chinese people and all mankind, promoting world peace and development.
Gabonese President Nguema (恩圭马) stated that the Spring Festival has a long history and symbolizes harmony and hope, and Gabon looks forward to strengthening friendly cooperation with China and working together to achieve development and prosperity.
Seychellois President Hémery (赫米尼耶) stated that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Seychelles and China, and he believes that bilateral relations will continue to flourish and the friendship between Seychelles and China will be rejuvenated. He wished the Chinese people new glories in national construction.
Botswanan President Masisi (马西西) highly appreciated China's promotion of global governance and common prosperity and looked forward to further deepening the deep friendship and strategic cooperation between the two countries.
Somali President Mohamud (马哈茂德) stated that China adheres to the people-centered development philosophy, focuses on high-quality development, and formulates the "15th Five-Year Plan," demonstrating a long-term strategic vision. Somalia deeply admires this and is willing to work closely with China to promote development. He wished China national peace and prosperity.
Central African President Touadéra (图瓦德拉) stated that the Central African Republic has always regarded China as a trustworthy strategic partner, firmly supports the four major global initiatives, and is willing to work with China to jointly practice multilateralism and work together to promote world peace and development.
Serbian President Vučić (武契奇) stated that the horse symbolizes vitality, enterprise, courage, and decisiveness, and he believes that under the visionary and wise leadership of President Xi Jinping (习近平), China will continue to achieve remarkable achievements in various fields. As an ironclad friend and comprehensive strategic partner, Serbia is willing to continue to deepen the construction of a Serbia-China community with a shared future in the new era.
Hungarian President Sulyok (舒尤克) and Prime Minister Orbán (欧尔班) stated that Hungary cherishes the significant achievements made in the development of relations between the two countries. The horse occupies a central position in Hungarian history and traditional culture, and Hungary is willing to work with China in the upcoming Year of the Horse to promote the continuous development of the all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era.
Slovak President Pellegrini (佩列格里尼) expressed his firm belief that the friendly relations between Slovakia and China will continue to move steadily forward in the Year of the Horse, and he looks forward to working together to deepen pragmatic cooperation and better benefit the two peoples.
Icelandic President Thómasdóttir (托马斯多蒂尔) extended her warmest congratulations and sincerest wishes to the Chinese people and looked forward to deepening cooperation between the two countries to jointly promote world peace and sustainable development.
Cypriot President Christodoulides (赫里斯托祖利季斯) stated that Cyprus will continue to firmly adhere to the one-China policy and deepen friendship and cooperation with China. He wished China to maintain its momentum in the new year and the friendship between Cyprus and China to last forever.
Slovenian President Musar (穆萨尔) stated that Slovenia is willing to continue to deepen bilateral relations with China and strengthen dialogue and exchanges at all levels. She wished the Chinese people happiness and well-being.
Bulgarian President Yotova (约托娃) extended her sincerest greetings to President Xi Jinping (习近平), wishing the new year peace and happiness and blessing the friendly Chinese people with good luck.
Nauruan President Adiong (阿迪昂) wished the great China to promote development with **龙马精神** (lóng mǎ jīng shén - "dragon horse spirit," vigorous spirit) in the new year and maintain lasting prosperity. Nauru adheres to the one-China principle, firmly supports China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and is willing to strengthen cooperation ties with China to jointly promote peace and development.
Kiribati President Maamau (马茂) stated that Kiribati attaches great importance to its partnership with China and firmly supports the one-China principle. He wished the Year of the Horse would bring continued progress, stability, and success to China.
UN Secretary-General Guterres (古特雷斯) issued a video message for the Spring Festival, stating that the horse symbolizes energy, success, and moving forward bravely, and the world urgently needs these qualities. He thanked China and the Chinese people for their strong support for multilateralism and global solidarity and looked forward to working with all parties to build a safer and more inclusive future.
Mongolian President Khurelsukh (呼日勒苏赫), Armenian President Khachaturyan (哈恰图良), Iranian President Pezeshkian (佩泽希齐扬), Omani Sultan Haitham (海赛姆), Israeli President Herzog (赫尔佐格), Tunisian President Saied (赛义德), Austrian President Van der Bellen (范德贝伦), rotating Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Komšić (科姆希奇), Croatian President Milanović (米拉诺维奇), Finnish Prime Minister Orpo (奥尔波), Governor-General Williams (威廉斯) and Prime Minister Browne (布朗) of Antigua and Barbuda, Governor-General Pratt (普拉特) and Prime Minister Davis (戴维斯) of the Bahamas, Prime Minister Skerrit (斯凯里特) of Dominica, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Qu Dongyu (屈冬玉), and Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Yermakov (叶尔梅克巴耶夫) also sent messages or letters to President Xi Jinping (习近平) to express their New Year greetings, wishing the Chinese people happiness and well-being, and wishing China continuous prosperity and progress.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 邵玉姿
Welcoming the Lunar New Year of the Horse, Langfang City (廊坊市), Hebei Province (河北省) is decorated with lanterns and colors, filled with a strong festive atmosphere.
Recently, 23 envoys from 9 ASEAN countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, came here as a group to check out the New Year shopping fair, watch theatrical performances, and appreciate intangible cultural heritage exhibitions, immersing themselves in the Chinese traditional culture and experiencing the charm of the Spring Festival customs.
The Langfang International Convention and Exhibition Center (廊坊国际会展中心) was crowded with people. At the Langfang International New Year Shopping Festival (廊坊国际年货节), more than 2,300 kinds of special products from dozens of countries were on display and for sale. From intangible cultural heritage creative products and global premium goods to health-focused smart products, national famous and special products, and a "Taste of the New Year" tasting area integrating ASEAN characteristics, the dazzling array of goods and colorful experiences attracted the envoys to stop frequently.
On a desk in the intangible cultural heritage creative exhibition area, red paper was spread out, and the fragrance of ink filled the air. Several calligraphers wrote the character "Fu" (福) while explaining its meaning to the envoys. Liang Yuning (梁玉宁), Deputy Ambassador of the Indonesian Embassy in China (印度尼西亚驻华大使馆), picked up a writing brush on the desk and carefully traced the character stroke by stroke. "Full of blessings!" Liang Yuning said in Chinese with a smile, holding up her newly completed work, "With this 'Fu' character, I wish my Chinese friends a happy New Year, full of blessings, and also wish the friendship between the two peoples will last forever!"
When walking to the "Taste of the New Year" tasting area, Liang Yuning stopped in front of a booth displaying Indonesian food, taking pictures as a souvenir. "Our country's products have also come to China's New Year shopping fair." She said happily that Indonesia and China have close economic and trade cooperation, and China imports Indonesian fresh coconuts, durians, coffee, and other products, taking an open attitude to bring opportunities for common development to Indonesia.
"I am already very familiar with the Chinese Spring Festival. Every household puts up Spring Festival couplets and hangs lanterns, which is very lively and festive." At a booth full of Spring Festival decorations, Chen Liping (陈丽萍), Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Lao Embassy in China (老挝驻华大使馆), picked up a string of red lanterns and said that Laos now also has many activities related to Chinese Spring Festival culture, and many Lao people buy red lanterns to decorate their homes. It is in-depth understanding and close exchanges that allow the cultures of various countries to naturally blend in mutual understanding and affinity.
The bluestone road underfoot meanders, and every step and every scene contains ingenuity... In "Dream of the Red Chamber · Theatrical Fantasy City" ("只有红楼梦·戏剧幻城"), 108 scene spaces and 21 immersive performances make the scenes in the classic masterpiece "Dream of the Red Chamber" ("红楼梦") visible and tangible. The integration of traditional culture and modern cultural tourism unlocked new experiences for the envoys. "Too shocking!" Zheng Meiyun (郑美云), Commercial Minister of the Thai Embassy in China (泰国驻华大使馆), told reporters that she had read "Dream of the Red Chamber" as a child and had also watched many related film and television works. "Walking through the pavilions and towers, it feels like I have also entered the story. This way of presenting the scene and the drama together is admirable," Zheng Meiyun said.
Shengfang lanterns (胜芳花灯), cloisonné (景泰蓝), ivory carvings (牙雕), lacquer carvings (雕漆), gold lacquer inlay (金漆镶嵌)... In the China Langfang Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall (中国廊坊非物质文化遗产陈列馆), a series of exquisite intangible cultural heritage works are dazzling. "**美美与共，天下大同**" (měi měi yǔ gòng, tiān xià dà tóng - "beauty in each, harmony for all," a world in which every culture can shine and coexist harmoniously). Liang Yuning said that personally understanding a country's history and culture helps to deepen mutual understanding and build a solid bond between the people. More people participating in this kind of exchange will make the friendship between countries more lasting and solid.
Return to TopBy: 钱德兰·奈尔
About 10 years ago, I realized very clearly that a considerable portion of what I read about China from Western media was distorted. So, I started writing articles calling on Western media journalists to report on China more fairly and to truly understand China, which would actually be in their own interest. But after a few years, I found that I was too naive at the time. I used to think that these Western media were independent and aimed to provide the world with truthful information, but I found myself completely wrong.
For someone like me who grew up influenced by Western media, this was a brutal awakening. But it was this awakening that made me begin to truly understand the actual role played by Western media, and I wrote my analysis and reflections into a monograph. I feel it is my responsibility to contribute to a better understanding of China for the world, because China's development story over the past few decades has had a profound impact on the entire world, and people must understand this.
I have visited China hundreds of times in the past 30 years and have witnessed the tremendous changes that have taken place in China. I have lived in Africa, worked in Southeast Asia for a long time, and also spent a lot of time in India. I hope to look at China from a comparative rather than an isolated perspective, using my experience in consulting, development projects in China, and working and living in other different regions to provide people with a more comprehensive perspective.
I want people to understand that China, like other countries, has many similar challenges; China has common ground with Western countries, and also resonates with developing countries. At the same time, I also want people to understand how China's governance system works, which is precisely where Western criticism of China is most concentrated.
China has a systematic and well-organized governance system that emphasizes talent governance and ability selection, and focuses on hierarchical decision-making from the national to the provincial, municipal, county, township, and village levels. This is an institutionalized and widely participatory system. China's rulers pay attention to being pragmatic, adhering to the principle of people first, emphasizing collective welfare, and concentrating on improving people's livelihoods.
China has unleashed productivity through deepening reforms. What is particularly important is its adherence to the implementation of long-term planning. Whether it is the Five-Year Plan or the continuous investment in infrastructure, science and technology, and industry, China demonstrates a strategic focus that transcends short-term political cycles.
For a country with a huge population and that was once extremely poor, stability and cohesion are prerequisites for social development. China regards development as the greatest public interest and tries to avoid being constrained by external geopolitical conflicts. This development path of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs and focusing on domestic construction is rare globally.
Currently, some countries are still trying to use Cold War thinking to divide "value camps," simply dividing the world into "like-minded people" and "others." This approach is not only divorced from reality, but also increasingly loses the recognition of the majority of countries in the Global South. In fact, countries in the Global South are more concerned with development, fairness, and stability, rather than ideological confrontation.
I want to say to Western countries: China's development is not a threat to you, because China is not trying to export its own system; you once thought that China would become "like you," but this view is wrong, because China is a different civilization; please respect the rise of civilizations different from your own, and respect the differences in political systems; China is not your military threat, but an important economy, and it will indeed create economic competition, but competition can be managed entirely through rules, negotiations, and cooperation.
Truly mature international relations should be based on respect for differences. The coexistence of different civilizations and different systems is the norm in the world. China is not the world's challenge, but part of the solution to problems. If we continue to portray China as a so-called "threat," it will only exacerbate misjudgments and weaken the space for cooperation.
To understand China, one must acknowledge reality, respect facts, and avoid confrontation. Understanding China is not about choosing a camp, but about making the world more rational and stable.
(The author is the founder and CEO of the Global Futures Institute and a member of the Club of Rome)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 杨 旭
The lights of thousands of homes reflect reunion, and the beautiful rivers and mountains are bathed in the spring sunshine. As the Lunar New Year of the Bingwu Horse Year approaches, the land of China is decorated with lanterns and colors, bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, with the country and families shining together.
At the 2026 Spring Festival group visit, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) encouraged people of all ethnic groups across the country to "whip their horses and move forward bravely on the new journey of Chinese-style modernization, and jointly create a better future."
Reunion is the unchanging theme. The warmth of the "small family" converges into the prosperity of the "big family." Thousands of households spend the festival together, condensing the warmth of family harmony, the confidence of a promising future, and the surging unity of forging ahead.
The road home is getting smoother and smoother.
The road home is the most familiar memory and the warmest journey.
This New Year's Eve, Yang Chun can finally reunite with his family.
As a passenger transport driver at Xinjiang Delixi High-speed Railway International Passenger Transport Station Company, New Year's Eve in previous years was Yang Chun's busiest time. "If we rest, how will passengers return home?"
Traveling back and forth between Urumqi (乌鲁木齐), Xinjiang, and Korla (库尔勒市), Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, nearly 500 kilometers, a 7-hour drive, many sections clinging to steep cliffs. "In previous years, I would drive on New Year's Eve and stay in Korla at night. I would go home on the first day of the new year." Every time Yang Chun drove, his family hid their concerns in their hearts.
At the end of 2025, the world's longest highway tunnel, the Tianshan Victory Tunnel, opened, and the Urumqi-尉高速 highway was put into full use. The one-way trip from Urumqi to Korla was reduced to 3.5 hours.
Departing from Urumqi at noon on New Year's Eve and arriving at Korla Passenger Transport Station before 4 pm, picking up another group of passengers, Yang Chun called home before starting the car: "Wait for me for the New Year's Eve dinner."
Ma Qianfei's home is in Huaxi Village (华溪村), Zhongyi Township (中益乡), Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County (石柱土家族自治县), Chongqing. The village is located in the hinterland of the Wuling Mountains (武陵山区), with high mountains and deep valleys, steep slopes and sharp bends.
On the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, Ma Qianfei finished purchasing New Year's goods from Shuangfu International Agricultural Trade City in the urban area, took a ride from a fellow villager, and sped along the provincial highway. In just over 3 hours, he stopped in front of his own courtyard.
"In the past, going to the city was like navigating nine twists and turns, first taking a motorcycle and then changing to a bus. During festivals, people who work outside rarely came back. It's not that they didn't want to, but the road was really difficult to travel." Ma Qianfei vividly remembers the muddy road that once caused him headaches.
During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, Zhongyi Township built 129 kilometers of roads connecting villages, opening up the "last kilometer" to people's doorsteps.
With the road open, the village was named a national key village for rural tourism, and Ma Qianfei's agritainment business is thriving: "I earned 50,000 yuan last year, and I hope the business in the Year of the Horse can be **马不停蹄** (mǎ bù tíng tí - "horse no stop hoof," to press on without stopping)."
At 17:38 on the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, Liu Fajun boarded train G8780 at Guiyang North Station (贵阳北站), Guizhou, embarking on his journey home.
"I never thought that a waitlist ticket could 'supplement' a temporary train!" This construction worker from Bijie (毕节), Guizhou, who was returning home from Yiwu (义乌), Zhejiang, was full of joy.
Liu Fajun's "never thought" is not accidental.
On the screen of the Guiyang Station Dispatch Center, big data automatically refreshes waitlist data, helping to analyze and accurately add temporary trains stopping at Qianxi (黔西), Zhenxiong (镇雄), Xingwen (兴文) and other stations where migrant workers are concentrated for returning home.
"It's like the shelves in the supermarket are empty. In the past, we relied entirely on experience to replenish goods. Today, we might replenish too much, and tomorrow it won't be enough. Now with big data, we know in advance what customers want and replenish goods accurately," said Wang Xiaoqun, deputy section chief of the Passenger Transport Section of Guiyang Station.
Last year, the country is expected to add about 8,000 kilometers of expressways and more than 2,000 kilometers of high-speed railways. The increasingly dense transportation network helps turn longing into reunion and warmth flows through China.
The reunion dinner is getting more and more sumptuous.
In the New Year's Eve dinner, you can taste the strong family affection and experience the beautiful life.
"Serving the dishes! Try this 'Hainan Family Reunion'!" On New Year's Eve, in the home of Feng Ruimei, a veteran of the Qiongya Column (琼崖纵队), in Haikou (海口), Hainan, four generations gathered under one roof, and her daughter-in-law Wang Huihua brought the steaming dishes to the table.
This year's "Hainan Family Reunion" is a bit different. On February 5, the "zero tariff" policy for daily consumer goods for residents on the island was officially released. Wang Huihua planned to come up with some new tricks: in addition to local ingredients, she also added imported ingredients from Southeast Asia and other places. "It's not only delicious, but it also saves nearly 20% on expenses."
"Only when the country is rich and strong can our lives be better." Feng Ruimei watched the "small family" reunite and be happy, and hoped that the "big family" would prosper.
On the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, Nandamiao Village (南大庙村), Luanping County (滦平县), Hebei. In front of the brand-new tile-roofed house, Zhang Yuquan's two grandsons are tiptoeing to paste the big red "Fu" character on the wooden door. "This is the first Spring Festival we've spent in our new house. These two words are great!" Zhang Yuquan exclaimed.
During the flood season last year, Luanping County was severely affected by the disaster, and the walls of Zhang Yuquan's house cracked and were included in the reconstruction list.
"The total budget for building the house was more than 200,000 yuan, and the government subsidized nearly 90,000 yuan. Now the new house is not only structurally safe, but also has an independent bathroom and an air-energy device," Zhang Yuquan said.
Soon, steamed meat, fried meatballs, stewed ribs and other delicacies were placed on the table, and the family of six sat around the table. Zhang Yuquan planned: In the new year, tidy up the yard more neatly and add desks for the children.
In Luanping, many disaster-stricken people like Zhang Yuquan are spending the New Year's Eve in warm new homes.
In the past 5 years, the national per capita disposable income has jumped from 35,100 yuan to 43,400 yuan, and fiscal investment in the field of people's livelihood accounts for more than 70% of the national general public budget expenditure. Development is moving forward and people's livelihood is warming.
The dreams in our hearts are becoming more and more real.
Personal ideals move forward with the times and advance with the country.
"The monitoring traffic is too large, and there is a possibility of exceeding the threshold." "Control the current limit and contact us for expansion at any time!"
On New Year's Eve, on the fifth floor of Shanghai "Model Speed Space", the lights of Jiding Shuchuang (Shanghai) Technology Co., Ltd. (极顶数创（上海）科技有限公司) were still on. Founder Ji Pan and several engineers were nervously discussing solutions to emergencies around the computer.
Just a week ago, Jiding Shuchuang's first 3D model was launched overseas. "Overseas users don't celebrate the New Year, so the server must be stable." Ji Pan and several employees volunteered to stay on duty.
In the office, the couplets "Take the lead" (**一马当先** (yī mǎ dāng xiān - "one horse take first," to take the lead)) and "Success upon arrival" (**马到成功** (mǎ dào chéng gōng - "horse arrive success," instant success)) were neatly pasted on the wall.
A few minutes later, the sudden problem was properly handled, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Ji Pan invited everyone to eat New Year's Eve dinner: braised pork, taro ribs, eight-treasure rice, dumplings... They came from Jiangxi, Shandong, Hubei and other places. There were specialties sent from their hometowns on the table, as well as food delivered by takeout.
"I chose to start a business in the field of large models because this track is in line with the national strategic direction. We hope to light up this Spring Festival with our hard work and contribute to domestic large models," Ji Pan said with confidence.
"I can finally go home for New Year's Eve dinner this year." Early in the morning on the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, Han Haiyang packed his luggage and boarded a bus to his hometown, Lingqiu County (灵丘县), Shanxi.
Han Haiyang is an employee of the Comprehensive Mining Team of Tongfa Dongzhouyao Coal Industry Co., Ltd. (同发东周窑煤业有限公司) of Shanxi Jineng Holding Coal Industry Group (山西晋能控股煤业集团). In the past few years, from New Year's Eve to the third day of the Lunar New Year, he lived in the unit and worked underground every day.
In July last year, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized during his inspection in Shanxi that "the key is to focus on energy transformation, industrial upgrading and moderately diversified development."
At that time, the company's intelligent transformation was proceeding in an orderly manner. In August 2025, the first phase of the transformation was completed, building an intelligent network covering all underground scenarios: some processes of traditional manual operations were written into intelligent programs and can be operated remotely.
The transformation effect was immediate: the average working time of employees underground was reduced by 65%, the equipment failure rate was reduced by 42%, and the single-shift time of comprehensive mining operations was shortened by more than 1 hour.
"In the past, when manually building hydraulic supports underground, it was easy to be hit by falling gangue. Now with intelligent monitoring and safety early warning, everything can be controlled remotely. Not only is the work easier, but it is also safer. We have really tasted the sweetness of industrial upgrading!" Han Haiyang said with emotion.
As of the end of last year, Shanxi has built 400 intelligent coal mines, and the proportion of advanced coal production capacity has reached 84%.
Before noon, Han Haiyang arrived home. In the house, his mother was making his favorite oat dumplings. "At midnight, the whole family will go out to light a bonfire, hoping that life will be prosperous in the coming year," Han Haiyang looked forward to.
The road home is more convenient, the reunion dinner is more sumptuous, and the dreams in our hearts are coming true. This is the most beautiful scene of the new era projected in everyone's heart.
(Comprehensive report by reporters Jiang Yunlong, Wang Xinyue, Huang Xian, Dong Zeyang, Shao Yuzi, Wang Yinxin, and Ma Ruishan of this newspaper)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 杨 迅 王欣悦 施 钰
During the Spring Festival, how to spend the 9-day holiday? What new highlights are there in the cultural and tourism market during this Spring Festival holiday? The reporter checked in at a special temple fair, visited a southern ski resort, and searched for a famous cultural city to see how various places, based on their resource endowments, increase the supply of differentiated, characteristic, and high-quality tourism products to meet the needs of different groups of people, so that everyone can have a happy and joyful year.
In Changsha (长沙), take a special temple fair tour.
"I saw the fire dragon parade video online and was 'planted'. I hurried to the temple fair to take a look!" Lin Xiaowei (林晓薇), a Gen Z tourist from Guangzhou (广州), Guangdong (广东), arrived in Changsha (长沙), Hunan (湖南) by high-speed rail and went straight to the Huogongdian (火宫殿) temple fair in Tianxin District (天心区).
At 8:20 p.m. on New Year's Eve, the "Wanghuo Ceremony" began: "Fire" was taken and the "bonfire" was lit. The electronic flame effect formed by the lights was realistic, and with the music, the sense of ritual was full. Lin Xiaowei (林晓薇) held up her mobile phone to record the video: "It has the flavor of the New Year, like a large-scale Chinese style party."
Long Wei (龙维), Minister of the Operations Department of Changsha Huogongdian (长沙火宫殿) Pozi Street (坡子街) Main Store, said that the "Wanghuo Ceremony" conveyed the beautiful meaning of "bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, and being prosperous." The temple fair set up corridors full of wish cards, large red art installations, etc., to facilitate tourists to take photos and check in.
At the temple fair, the "Huogong Folk Fair · Xiangyun Intangible Cultural Heritage Show" combined Hunan embroidery (湘绣), palm weaving and other intangible cultural heritages with modern dance and beauty, the "Huogong Band" performed Chinese style adapted versions of popular songs, and the intangible cultural heritage experience area and cultural and creative market attracted many young people to try making handicrafts.
"We hope that young people will not only come to see the excitement, but also feel the enthusiasm, creativity and vitality of Changsha (长沙)," said the relevant person in charge of the Tianxin District (天心区) Culture, Tourism and Sports Bureau.
The integration of tradition and trend, the old temple fair can also win the love of young people. "Here, I found the New Year flavor in my memory, and I also encountered surprises," said Lin Xiaowei (林晓薇).
In Fengdu (丰都), take a parent-child ice and snow tour.
On New Year's Eve, at the Nantian Lake (南天湖) International Ski Resort in Fengdu (丰都), Chongqing (重庆), more than 1,800 meters above sea level, a dozen wooden houses were warm and cozy. Tourists chatted while watching the Spring Festival Gala; outside the window, ski enthusiasts slid down from high places in one go.
During the Spring Festival holiday, the resort received more than 3,500 tourists per day, and the business hours were extended to 9:30 p.m.
Wang Yifan (王一帆) is here for the second year with his mother: "My mother specially hired a coach to teach me, and I hope to be able to challenge myself on the advanced track."
"Southerners have a strong curiosity and yearning for snow," said the relevant person in charge of the Fengdu County (丰都县) Culture and Tourism Commission. Nantian Lake (南天湖) has a high altitude and low winter temperatures. Here, Chongqing (重庆) built a ski resort. Families with parent-child interaction needs account for 70% of the tourists. In order to adapt to the needs of southern tourists and beginners, the slope of the ski resort is gentler than in the north. "We have opened a ski school and cooperated with more than 50 schools and institutions to carry out ice and snow research and other activities," said He Jie (何杰), manager of the ski resort. The ski resort also has children's areas, snow play parks and other areas, with ski rings, merry-go-rounds, etc., and there are many projects to play.
In order to welcome the peak passenger flow during the snow season and the Spring Festival holiday, Fengdu (丰都) added 5 tourist special line buses from the railway station to the Nantian Lake (南天湖) scenic spot, and organized traffic police and grid members to form an escort network to ensure tourists' travel.
In Quanzhou (泉州), take a high-quality cultural tour.
"The wreck of this Song Dynasty (宋代) sunken ship is more than 20 meters long and more than 9 meters wide. A large number of foreign spices were unearthed, as well as chess pieces and porcelain used by the crew, showing the prosperity of maritime Silk Road trade in the Song Dynasty (宋代)." In the Quanzhou Bay (泉州湾) Ancient Ship Exhibition Hall in Fujian (福建), volunteers told tourists the stories of the exhibits. Liao Wang (廖望) and Jing Yahong (景雅虹), tourists from Daqing (大庆), Heilongjiang (黑龙江), listened with great interest.
"I am very interested in history, so I took advantage of the Spring Festival holiday to experience it myself." Liao Wang (廖望) and Jing Yahong (景雅虹) came to Quanzhou (泉州) not only for a cultural experience, but also to avoid the cold, "cat winter." "Walking into the various museums in Quanzhou (泉州), consulting local chronicles and ancient books, the process of searching is a wonderful cultural experience."
"During the Spring Festival holiday, we arrange multiple public welfare professional explanations every day, and the Donghu (东湖) Museum is open until 7 p.m.," said Chen Yingyan (陈颖艳), deputy curator of the Quanzhou Maritime Museum (泉州海外交通史博物馆). Since Quanzhou (泉州): Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China" was successfully declared a World Heritage Site in 2021, this originally niche museum has become a popular check-in place, receiving more than one million tourists last year.
Go to Dapingshan (大坪山) to check in at the Zheng Chenggong (郑成功) statue and catch a wave of the "immediate success" craze; stroll through the ancient city of Quanzhou (泉州) and explore the cultural diversity and integration in the Minnan (闽南) architecture... Jing Yahong (景雅虹) planned this trip two months ago, "We also watched the Quanzhou (泉州) puppet show."
Zeng Shibin (曾世彬), chief of the Exchange and Cooperation Section of the Quanzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, introduced that Quanzhou (泉州) has prepared more than 1,000 characteristic cultural and tourism activities for this year's Spring Festival holiday, and 40 landmark blocks have launched more than 280 intangible cultural heritage activities and displayed more than 100 intangible cultural heritage projects.
"We hope that tourists can taste the sweetness of culture and feel the fireworks of the world in a high-quality slow tour," said Zeng Shibin (曾世彬).
This issue is coordinated by: Zhang Anyu (张安宇)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 欧阳洁 罗珊珊 刘军国
At 2 PM, in a trendy toy store in Yiwu International Trade City (义乌国际商贸城), Zhejiang (浙江), many plush toys and pendants with a Year of the Horse theme were hanging. The store owner, Yang Yang (杨扬), was busy moving between the shelves, checking and organizing the goods. "This brown-pink 'Get Rich Immediately' pony doll has sold nearly 20,000 pieces. A Russian customer ordered 5,000 of these red pony pendants," said Yang Yang (杨扬).
At 3 PM, a Pakistani businessman came and selected 12 boxes of goods from 8 categories, paid the deposit, and signed the contract. The whole process took less than half an hour.
Behind the good business is the "battle-hardened" acumen of foreign traders. "When Pop Mart became popular all over the world at the beginning of last year, I knew the opportunity to 'change track' had come." Who would have thought that this foreign trader, who knows trendy toys like the back of her hand, had previously been in the jewelry business. "Young people are willing to pay for what they love, and overseas consumers' acceptance of Chinese trendy toys has soared." Noticing the new market demand, Yang Yang (杨扬) began to transform—seeking IP (intellectual property) authorization from trendy toy centers in Dongguan (东莞), Guangdong (广东), and toy exhibitions in Shanghai (上海).
Similarly seeing the opportunity, in October last year, the Yiwu International Trade City (义乌国际商贸城) Global Digital Trade Center opened, with 500 shops settling in the creative trendy toy zone. Yang Yang's (杨扬) shop is one of them. "The creative trendy toy zone has increased recognition, improved the efficiency of supply and demand docking, and attracted a large number of merchants to sweep goods," said Yang Yang (杨扬). The store has more than 700 kinds of goods. In the four months since its opening, it has received orders from 7 new overseas customers. This year, she plans to open two more trendy toy stores, and also intends to leverage the advantages of industry and trade integration to develop original IPs, full of energy.
Yiwu International Trade City (义乌国际商贸城) has nearly 80,000 booths gathering more than 2.1 million kinds of goods, and has trade relations with more than 230 countries and regions. The sound of negotiations in different languages and the sound of calculator keys intertwine, playing the symphony of foreign trade in the new spring.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 杨 义 杨颜菲
During the Spring Festival, in the Luxi County (芦溪县) Industrial Park, Pingxiang (萍乡), Jiangxi (江西) Province, at the gate of Sinoma Jiangxi Electric Porcelain Electrical Co., Ltd. (中材江西电瓷电气有限公司), large red lanterns are hung high, and New Year greetings scroll across the electronic screen. In the delivery yard, rows of UHV pillar porcelain insulators are packed and ready to be shipped overseas. Inside the workshop, automated production lines are running at high speed, and the fiery red kiln reflects the busy figures of the workers. "We're not stopping work for the New Year! The goods are waiting for no one, we need to be faster." Chen Zhen (陈震), Deputy Manager of the company's Manufacturing Department II, said while busy with his work, greeting his colleagues.
"Last year, the company's export volume increased by 32% year-on-year. This year, export orders are scheduled until November, and the workshop is operating at full capacity as the norm." Han Youmin (韩佑民), Deputy General Manager of the company, pointed to the robotic arm feeding materials and said, "This intelligent production line for UHV insulators has increased production efficiency by 269% and reduced energy consumption by about 42%." "Intelligent manufacturing" is the company's confidence in delivering high-quality orders on time.
To promote products to a wider market, it is necessary to play the "hard card" of technology well. In recent years, Sinoma Electric Porcelain has overcome UHV rod-shaped technology and blue-gray glaze technology, becoming the world's largest supplier of rod-shaped pillar insulators. "It's all been 'ground out' through years of research and development." Han Youmin (韩佑民) pointed to insulators with slightly different colors and shapes in a corner of the workshop, "These are all 'old heroes' left behind by experiments. The team repeatedly tested and analyzed, adjusted formulas, improved processes... No matter how many times we failed, we summarized that many experiences."
With a "hard card" in hand, it is also necessary to understand the "soft rules." Xie Xiqun (谢锡群), President of the Jiangxi Electric Porcelain Chamber of Commerce (江西省电瓷商会), admitted that international certifications are complex, and many companies were initially at a loss. To this end, Luxi County (芦溪县) has built a Jiangxi Electric Porcelain Export Platform (江西电瓷出口平台) integrating information sharing, agency operation services, and self-operated expansion functions, assisting companies in the county to obtain 7 international product certifications and 13 international mutual recognition certifications. In 2025, the number of Luxi (芦溪) electric porcelain and electrical export enterprises increased to 25, and the export value of the electric porcelain and electrical industry reached 381 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 79.15%.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 武卫政 李家鼎
It's the New Year, and Chen Guohua (陈国华) is very busy. The first thing he does every day is to check on his mushrooms. "The demand is high during the Spring Festival holiday, so I need to quickly harvest this batch of mushrooms and notify the buyers to pick them up."
Old Chen (老陈) opened the door of compartment No. 4, and the golden ears on the shelves were layered, golden, and plump. He gently touched one of them: "The harvest this year won't be bad!"
Chen Guohua (陈国华) is from Lijiacang Village (李家仓村), Chutouling Town (出头岭镇), Jizhou District (蓟州区), Tianjin (天津). He went out to work at the age of 20, and at the age of 31, he returned to the village with his savings and started growing mushrooms with his fellow villagers.
In the first few years of growing mushrooms, Old Chen (老陈) felt very frustrated, "Putting in a lot of effort and sweat, but not making any money." Later, the town organized learning sessions, and Old Chen (老陈) discovered that morel mushrooms could sell for hundreds of yuan per kilogram in the market, so he started to try growing morels. But just as the mushrooms were about to sprout, he encountered continuous rainy weather, and the humidity was not well controlled. Overnight, a large area of newly sprouted mushrooms rotted. During that time, Old Chen (老陈) felt like he had aged more than 10 years.
The town's cadres came to his home to help him analyze: "It's not good to follow the trend, the tradition of intensive cultivation cannot be lost; it's even worse to work behind closed doors, you have to try new technologies."
What is "new technology"? Old Chen (老陈) later understood three words in an expert lecture: standardization, factoryization, and intelligentization.
In the autumn of 2025, Old Chen (老陈) saw a kind of "intelligent container" while studying at a company in Zhejiang (浙江). "Plug in the power, close the door, and the inside of the container is an intelligent world." He said that the sprinklers misted regularly, the exhaust fans adjusted automatically, and the sensor red dots flashed... Old Chen (老陈) immediately ordered 6 units, one of which was used to grow golden ears, which are extremely demanding on the growing environment.
The container has an integrated design and was quickly built after being transported back to Tianjin (天津). The golden ears that "lived" in the container changed every day, from tender yellow to orange-gold. When the first crop was harvested, Old Chen's (老陈) hands trembled a little - when he cut it, the cross-section was porcelain-like and the juice was full. Outside the compartment door, buyers were scrambling to buy them. Old Chen (老陈) sighed that in the past he thought he was an "old hand," but now he is a 新手上路 (xīn shǒu shàng lù - "new hand on road," a novice; a beginner).
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 刘 阳
Joyful laughter celebrates the New Year, and spirited steeds gallop towards the future! At 8:00 PM on February 16th, the China Media Group's (中央广播电视总台) "2026 Spring Festival Gala" (《2026年春节联欢晚会》), a "joyful and auspicious, festive and lively" cultural feast, arrived as scheduled. The entire gala flowed smoothly, with climaxes one after another, integrating cultural flavor, technological sense, and international style into a moving "New Year's movement," accompanying global Chinese and overseas friends to spend a harmonious, united, and inspiring Chinese New Year.
According to preliminary statistics, as of 24:00 on February 16th, the total reach of the Spring Festival Gala's all-media live broadcast reached 677 million users, with 13.5 billion views on new media platforms. The total number of live video views on the China Media Group's (中央广播电视总台) own client terminals reached 578 million, an increase of 53.39 million compared to last year. Mentions of new quality productive forces in the Spring Festival Gala accounted for 23.78%, an increase of 8.88 times compared to the same period last year. The cumulative reach of young people's all-media live broadcasts accounted for 43.7%, an increase of 10% year-on-year.
Overseas influence has further expanded. The Spring Festival Gala was broadcast on nearly 4,000 overseas media outlets, an increase of 37.95% year-on-year. The number of live video views on CCTV.com's (央视网) overseas social media platforms reached 87.29 million, an increase of nearly 20% year-on-year.
The most melodious melody of the Spring Festival Gala comes from the Chinese cultural heritage passed down through generations. "Start of Spring" (《立春》) sings the vibrant vitality of renewal in poetic spring scenery. The song and dance creative show "Celebrating the Flower Gods" (《贺花神》) takes the audience through different time and space with the "Twelve Flower Gods," immersing them in the seasonal rhythms and oriental charm of the four seasons. Dancers who stepped out of thousand-year-old murals recreate the flying apsaras dance in "Ancient Rhyme of the Silk Road" (《丝路古韵》). The opera "Spring Radiance Fills the Pear Garden" (《春晖满梨园》) features four generations of performers singing on the same stage, bringing together Peking Opera, Henan Opera, Yue Opera, Cantonese Opera, and Ping Opera, showcasing the flourishing art of opera.
In Chinese culture, the horse is a symbol of strength, vigor, and **自强不息** (zì qiáng bù xī - "constantly striving to become stronger," self-improvement; unyielding). It signifies the prospect of steady progress and prosperity. Zhou Shen (周深) and the children use their voices to tell the story of the mythical horse Jiliang (吉量) in the "Classic of Mountains and Seas" (《山海经》), which travels thousands of miles a day and can ride the wind. The song "Galloping Sea Horses" (《奔腾的海骝马》) takes the audience to feel the endless vitality of the vast grasslands in the melodious and long-lasting non-heritage Bargu long tune.
Humanoid robots once again appeared on the stage of the Spring Festival Gala, transforming into "martial arts masters" in "Wu BOT" (《武BOT》), with one move as strong as a pine tree and another as agile as the wind, the hard-core strength of Chinese intelligent manufacturing and the thousand-year charm of Chinese martial arts are intertwined. "Intelligent Manufacturing Future" (《智造未来》) sings the wonderful future that has arrived, with technology empowering a better life.
Cai Ming (蔡明) and Wang Tianfang (王天放) brought the skit "Grandma's Favorite" (《奶奶的最爱》), focusing on the integration of robots into family life scenarios, with laughter and misunderstandings intertwined, hiding the most sincere love and concern between grandparents and grandchildren. The comedy short play "You'll Definitely Like It" (《你准喜欢》) uses a relaxed and humorous way to interpret the "more you swipe, the more addicted you become" state of the digital age, triggering reflection on the "interesting" and "meaningful" aspects of social media products.
In the song "Mom Has a Cinema" (《妈妈有座电影院》), the moments of a child's growth are played frame by frame, becoming an exclusive screening that never ends in the years. Li Jian (李健) expresses his feelings about high mountains and flowing water, and the rarity of kindred spirits in "Resonance in the World" (《人间共鸣》). Faye Wong (王菲) expresses the precious fate of people meeting and knowing each other and the warmth of mutual illumination in "The Moment You and I Experienced" (《你我经历的一刻》). With the same heart, we look forward to returning home. The suite "Baodao Love Song" (《宝岛恋歌》) allows the melodious melody to cross the strait, and the bloodline resonance of the same root and the same origin flows in every note.
The Spring Festival Gala is a grand gathering for strivers from all walks of life, and it is also a vivid expression of ordinary people's lives. Under the innovative creation of new mass culture and art, Wang Zhengliang (王铮亮), Wang Sulong (汪苏泷), and Li Xian (李现) joined hands with representatives of Chinese winners of the WorldSkills Competition to bring the micro-musical "Every Ray of Light" (《每道光》), paying tribute to every striver in ordinary positions. In "Come and Sun the Harvest" (《来晒秋》), Phoenix Legend (凤凰传奇) and the Farmers' Choir of Dazhanchang Town (大战场镇), Zhongning County (中宁县), Zhongwei City (中卫市), Ningxia (宁夏) sang harvest songs on the same stage, turning the sweat of the fields into the joy of harvest, and showing the power of laborers' cultivation.
"Is this spring rain? This is not spring rain, this is the nourishment at the right time, the vitality that awakens all things." Farmer poet "Yimeng Second Sister" (沂蒙二姐) Lü Yuxia (吕玉霞) used poetic reporting, and a "Joyful Rain" (《喜雨》) outlined the natural beauty of "good rain knows the season." Representatives of Chinese winners of the WorldSkills Competition and other "dream chasers" used simple words to wish for flowers to bloom in China, granaries to be full, and a happy world.
The military song "I Am on Duty" (《战位有我在》) is full of vigor and sonorous, using a firm oath to stand up the steel backbone to defend the motherland. The song "Dreaming of Mountains and Seas" (《山海寻梦》) sings the spirit and confidence of striding forward, paying tribute to the thriving new era.
The atmosphere of the New Year is strong, and the festive atmosphere of the Spring Festival continues to spread. The Heilongjiang (黑龙江) Harbin (哈尔滨) branch venue sang "Ice and Snow Warms the World" (《冰雪暖世界》), fully demonstrating the enthusiasm and boldness of the "Northeast Old Irons" and the unique warmth of the ice and snow; the Zhejiang (浙江) Yiwu (义乌) branch venue celebrated "World Yiwu Chinese New Year" (《世界义乌中国年》), with artists from many countries singing the same song, and the notes flowing with Yiwu's burning enthusiasm for "making friends with guests from all over the world"; the Anhui (安徽) Hefei (合肥) branch venue integrated Huangmei Opera, Huizhou (徽州) three carvings, hand dragon dance and other intangible cultural heritage elements into "Harmony Fills Jianghuai" (《合韵满江淮》), and low-altitude aircraft and ground performances formed a "heaven and earth matrix," highlighting the magnificent momentum of moving towards the new; the Sichuan (四川) Yibin (宜宾) branch venue opened lively in the folk activity "Please Spring Wine" (请春酒), with the whole people singing and dancing on the three rivers and six banks, and the micro-lights converged into a galaxy, outlining the happy picture of the city in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.
Across mountains and seas, dancing to the rhythm together. American singers, French singers, Irish groups and others appeared on the stage of the Spring Festival Gala. The dance "Stepping on the Ground as a Festival" (《踏地为节》) brings together dances from all directions, and in the neat stepping sound, dances out the prayer for a rich new year. Chinese and Austrian acrobatic troupes jointly brought the creative acrobatics "Drawing a New Spring" (《绘新春》), with diabolo and juggling sticks cooperating with trajectory capture and imaging technology, using light as a pen to draw brilliant light and shadow, spreading New Year blessings to all directions.
Return to TopThe Milan Winter Olympics coincided with the Chinese Lunar Year of the Horse, with a strong sense of national pride and family affection surging both inside and outside the competition venues. This inspired the ice and snow athletes to be like galloping horses, bravely surpassing themselves, and adding a unique charm to the ancient Olympic movement.
On the evening of February 13th, local time, the Cortina Sliding Centre in Italy was particularly dazzling with "China Red." Three Chinese athletes, Lin Qinwei (林勤炜), Chen Wenhao (陈文浩), and Yin Zheng (殷正), participated in the men's skeleton competition. Dozens of overseas Chinese from all over Italy rushed to the venue, waving the five-star red flag to cheer them on. The sleds sped past, and the cheers might only have been a fleeting moment for the athletes, but everyone still spared **不遗余力** (bù yí yú lì - "spare no effort," to do one's best; to spare no pains).
Among the crowd, Zheng Jinli (郑金丽) kept a close eye on the track, paying attention to her son Lin Qinwei's (林勤炜) performance. Ultimately, Lin Qinwei (林勤炜) finished eighth. After the race, the mother and son embraced tightly, a heartwarming scene that moved the audience.
Skills were displayed on the ice and snow, and the Olympic Village was filled with the atmosphere of the Lunar New Year. Spring Festival couplets, Chinese knots, blessing walls... The festive decorations not only brought warmth to the Chinese athletes who were far away from their homeland, but also allowed ice and snow athletes from all over the world to encounter Chinese Spring Festival culture on the Winter Olympics stage.
"Great, I have 'Fu' (福)!" The Alibaba Cloud Intelligent Badge Exchange Station in the Milan Olympic Village was very lively. A Polish athlete held a red "Fu" (福) character badge and happily shared it with his teammates. After learning the meaning of the customized badges such as "Fu" (福) and "万事如意" (wàn shì rú yì - "May all your wishes be fulfilled"), she used the Chinese she had just learned to wish everyone "Happy Spring Festival."
Since opening on January 30, the badge exchange station has been experienced by over 6,000 people, and the integration of technology and humanity has been a pleasant surprise for many.
"'Horse' (马) has what meaning?" Greta Myers, an American athlete, saw the creative horse-year stickers posted on the wall and asked curiously. Zhu Haoyu (朱好雨), the person in charge of the badge exchange station, opened the conversation, from the Chinese zodiac to "龙马精神" (lóng mǎ jīng shén - "dragon-horse spirit," energetic and vigorous spirit). In a short while, she attracted many listeners.
"Our athletes have the dragon-horse spirit, we must bravely rush forward." Greta Myers was presented with a Spring Festival couplet with "dragon" (龙) and "horse" (马) as the first characters of the upper and lower lines. "I want to take it home and stick it on the door, and 'show it off' to my friends!"
During the Winter Olympics, the "China House" operated by the Chinese Olympic Committee was filled with joy. The exhibition themed "New Year of the Horse, Winter Olympics Wishes" integrated the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year with the ice and snow vitality of the Winter Olympics, and the intangible cultural heritage experience area was crowded with people. Red paper turned into galloping horses in the hands of artisans, sending blessings; auspicious knots and peace knots, the rope-knotting skills teaching site was very popular; writing sugar characters and blowing sugar figurines, the dual experience of fingertips and tongue, the sweet taste flowed into the heart.
"I have to boil 10 pounds of sugar every day, and I can make up to 100 sugar painting skewers!" Lu Liqing (鲁立清), the inheritor of the sugar sculpture intangible cultural heritage, was very busy, and the flowing sugar syrup turned into New Year blessings with words such as "龙马精神" (lóng mǎ jīng shén - "dragon-horse spirit," energetic and vigorous spirit) and "马到成功" (mǎ dào chéng gōng - "instant success," achieve immediate victory) under his skillful hands.
"Taking the Olympics as a medium, we are building a cultural window to the world." Yu Jianyong (于建勇), Director of the Sports Equipment Center of the State General Administration of Sport and Director of the Marketing Department of the Chinese Olympic Committee, said that this is a vivid practice of promoting mutual understanding and mutual learning among civilizations.
(Reporters Sun Longfei (孙龙飞), Gong Yuhua (巩育华), Xie Yahong (谢亚宏) from this newspaper, and Yang Lei (杨磊) from People's Daily Online)
Return to TopBy: 新华社记者
As the years change, the galloping horse welcomes the spring.
On February 14th, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (中共中央) and the State Council (国务院) held the 2026 Spring Festival gathering in the Great Hall of the People (人民大会堂). General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) delivered a speech, extending New Year greetings on behalf of the Party Central Committee and the State Council to people of all ethnic groups across the country, to compatriots in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (香港特别行政区), the Macao Special Administrative Region (澳门特别行政区), Taiwan compatriots, and overseas Chinese.
The warm and powerful speech inspired and motivated people, gathering the mighty strength of the entire party and people of all ethnic groups across the country to stride forward on a new journey, and stirring up the heroic confidence to work together to write a better future.
Striving Forward and Bearing Fruit
On the first day of the Spring Festival holiday, the Guangxi Beibu Gulf Port (广西北部湾港) was still a day of handling all kinds of goods and racing against time.
"The harvest of the past year is substantial, and it is the result of the joint efforts of the entire party and people of all ethnic groups across the country." This sentence of General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) resonated deeply with Hu Huaping (胡华平), Chairman of Guangxi Beibu Gulf Port Group (广西北部湾港集团): "2025 is the year when our country's main goals and tasks for economic and social development throughout the year were successfully completed, and the '14th Five-Year Plan' came to a successful conclusion. It is also a year when the construction of the Beibu Gulf International Gateway Port (北部湾国际门户港) took a solid step. The grand blueprint of the national strategy is being transformed into a real picture of port development."
Saying goodbye to the old and welcoming the new, the atmosphere is ever-changing. At the Harbin Ice and Snow World (哈尔滨冰雪大世界), the number of tourists continues to grow, and laughter rises and falls.
Studying General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) speech carefully, Sun Zemin (孙泽旻), Deputy Minister of Marketing Department of Ice and Snow World (冰雪大世界市场营销部), felt deeply about "China's economy moving forward against pressure and developing towards new and better": "In recent years, 'cold resources' have continued to be transformed into 'hot engines' for cultural tourism consumption, and the ice and snow industry has become a new growth point. We truly feel the surging vitality and inherent resilience of the Chinese economy."
During the Spring Festival holiday, the Jinggangshan Revolutionary Museum (井冈山革命博物馆) in Jiangxi (江西) ushered in a surge of visitors.
"General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) once again emphasized 'unswervingly promoting comprehensive and strict Party governance'. We have a deeper understanding of how to give full play to the educational function of museums in the new era." Museum docent Huang Junfeng (黄俊峰) said, "We must continue to integrate stories of clean governance culture and stories of strict Party governance into the museum's explanations, give new contemporary connotations to red culture, and make revolutionary tradition education more appealing."
The Sanjiangyuan (三江源) is as blue as washing. The period around the Spring Festival is the key period for forest and grassland fire prevention. Qiu Duojie (求多杰), a 29-year-old forest ranger in Yuegai Town (约改镇), Qumalai County (曲麻莱县), Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (玉树藏族自治州), Qinghai Province (青海省), is running around on the front line of patrols, without relaxing even a little bit.
"The General Secretary attaches great importance to ecological civilization construction." Studying General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) speech, Qiu Duojie (求多杰) felt a heavy responsibility on his shoulders, "In recent years, the grass has become greener, the water has become clearer, and there are more and more wild animals. The function of the 'Water Tower of China' has continued to stabilize and improve. We must do a good job in our patrol work to make our hometown more beautiful."
Chinese New Year, World New Year, each year is better than the last.
The Ancient Culture Street (古文化街) is hung with big red lanterns, the Yangliuqing (杨柳青) woodblock New Year paintings offer a unique experience, and the Guangdong Guild Hall (广东会馆) has a series of good shows... During the Spring Festival holiday, the streets and alleys of Tianjin (天津) are full of New Year's flavor, and many foreign faces shuttle among them.
Yu Pengzhou (于鹏洲), Director of the Tianjin Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism (天津市文化和旅游局局长), recalled the grand occasion of foreign guests gathering in Tianjin (津门) at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (上合组织) Tianjin Summit (天津峰会), which is still fresh in his memory: "Following the right path, there are many fellow travelers. In the process of constantly opening our hearts to embrace the world, the world sees a confident and open China, firmly moving towards the beautiful future of building a community with a shared future for mankind!"
Striving to Develop
Liu Jian (刘建), a Meituan (美团) rider from Henan (河南) who has been working in Beijing (北京) for 9 years, was invited to participate in the Spring Festival gathering.
"Being able to come to the Great Hall of the People (人民大会堂) this time, I feel the warmth of home and my heart is full of gratitude. In the new year, I want to lead the riders around me, keep in mind the General Secretary's instructions, deliver every order well, and serve every customer well, so that our new employment group can make greater contributions to the happiness of the people," said Liu Jian (刘建).
As the New Year's flavor gradually intensifies, from cities to villages, there are still people sticking to their posts and still people busy.
In Jiaxing (嘉兴), Zhejiang (浙江), the Red Boat Communist Party Member Service Team (红船共产党员服务队) of State Grid Jiaxing Power Supply Company (国网嘉兴供电公司) has entered a state of intense Spring Festival duty, providing all-weather power supply for the masses. After studying General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) speech, Jiang Xin (江欣), a member of the service team, felt a great responsibility: "The General Secretary's holiday greetings make us front-line workers feel very warm. This year is the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党). We must inherit and promote the Red Boat Spirit (红船精神), always stay true to our original aspiration and keep our mission firmly in mind, and be good 'guardians' of the people's happiness and urban stability."
In Pingtang (平塘), Guizhou (贵州), the "China Sky Eye" (中国天眼) operates as usual during the Spring Festival. Jiang Peng (姜鹏), Deputy Director of the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院国家天文台副台长), stared at the instrument in front of him and recorded the murmurs from the depths of the universe.
"2026 is the opening year of the '15th Five-Year Plan'. General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized the need to earnestly implement the deployment of the Fourth Plenary Session, which pointed out the direction for us to move forward," said Jiang Peng (姜鹏). "Faced with the fierce competition in the field of radio astronomy internationally, we must strengthen original innovation and key core technology research, and show new achievements in accelerating high-level scientific and technological self-reliance."
In the Xiuyuan Community (秀苑小区) in Hongkou District (虹口区), Shanghai (上海), a series of festive cultural and sports activities are entertaining and educational, stimulating residents' enthusiasm for participating in grassroots governance.
Li Qian (李倩), Secretary of the Party General Branch of Xiuyuan Residential District (秀苑居民区党总支书记) in Liangcheng New Village Street (凉城新村街道), has witnessed the changes brought about by Party building leading grassroots governance in recent years: "General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out that 'we should focus on guaranteeing and improving people's livelihood, and maintain overall social stability', which makes me feel that my work is very valuable. My colleagues and I will continue to do practical things for the people's livelihood and strive to exchange residents' 'peace and happiness' for 'dedication and happiness'."
In the northwest of the motherland, the Changcheng Garden Community (长城花园社区) in Jinfeng District (金凤区), Yinchuan (银川), Ningxia (宁夏) is decorated with lanterns and the aroma of food is wafting. This is a large multi-ethnic community, and the grassroots Party organization promotes the unity of all ethnic groups like a family through cultural and recreational activities and optimizing convenient and beneficial services for the people.
"'Our Party is born for the people and thrives because of the people'. General Secretary's words are so good. Happiness is achieved through hard work. We must unite more closely around the Party Central Committee, hug each other tightly like pomegranate seeds, and work together to create a better life," said Su Fang (苏芳), a Hui resident of the Changcheng Garden Community (长城花园社区).
Before the Spring Festival, more than 100 mu of mud蒿 in the planting base of Siyi Village (四邑村), Jiayu County (嘉鱼县), Hubei Province (湖北省) were in the harvest period. The villagers were busy between the large sheds, sending fresh vegetables to thousands of households.
Deng Zhiping (邓志平), Secretary of the Village Party Committee, said: "From the beginning of the year to the end of the year, we work together for our dreams and strive for happiness. The villagers feel very promising. We will keep in mind the General Secretary's囑托 'always adhere to the people first', implement the spirit of the Central No. 1 Document, and make the characteristic rural industries a happy industry to help more people get rich and increase their income."
Firm Confidence Opens a New Chapter
Chang'an (长安) is like a sea of lights, and the galloping horse celebrates the spring. As night falls, the "horse" themed lanterns on the Xi'an City Wall (西安城墙) are radiant.
Looking at the smiling faces of the tourists, Ma Jinjiang (马锦江), a staff member of the Xi'an City Wall Scenic Area (西安城墙景区), is full of confidence in the new year: "General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) said that in Chinese culture, the horse is a symbol of strength, vigor, and self-improvement, indicating a steady and far-reaching, prosperous and developed prospect. Just like this galloping horse lantern group, we must carry the sharpness of 'taking the lead' and tell the story of Xi'an (西安) to more people's hearts."
In the pilot test base of the Xiong'an Science and Innovation Center (雄安科创中心), the machines in the workshop are roaring and the technicians are busy running around. "Xiong'an High-tech Zone (雄安高新区) has recently been upgraded to a national high-tech zone, injecting new impetus into our scientific and technological achievement transformation work." Yang Yunjie (杨云杰), the person in charge of the base operation, said that he will keep in mind General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) instructions, focus on strengthening the construction of scientific and technological innovation capabilities, and strive to build a new era of innovation highlands and entrepreneurial hot spots.
Pursuing dreams on a new journey, striving to welcome the New Year.
"As long as we maintain strategic focus, move forward firmly step by step, and steadily advance stage by stage, the cause of the Party and the country will surely continue to accumulate small victories into big victories, and our goals will surely be achieved." General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) warm and kind speech inspires every striver.
Shi Lei (石磊), Chairman of Tongfu Microelectronics Co., Ltd. (通富微电子股份有限公司) in Nantong (南通), Jiangsu Province (江苏省), said: "Facing the '15th Five-Year Plan', we will continuously catch up with the world's advanced level by optimizing production capacity layout and breaking through key technologies, and show the responsibility and commitment of private enterprises in accelerating the cultivation of new quality productive forces."
After listening to General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) speech, Zhang Kairan (张凯然), Director of the Party-Masses Service Center (党群服务中心主任) of Gaoyang Town (高阳镇), Xiaoyi City (孝义市), Shanxi Province (山西省), clarified the next work goal: "Gaoyang Town (高阳镇) once faced the problem of transformation and development of a resource-based economy. We must adhere to the principle of seeking political achievements for the people and achieving political achievements through hard work, actively implement the national carbon emission reduction goals, develop new quality productive forces in accordance with local conditions, and focus on promoting high-quality development."
On the China-Laos Railway (中老铁路), the passenger flow during the Spring Festival travel season remains high. Huang Yunhai (黄云海), a "post-95s" (95后) generation, came here after graduating from university and became a line worker. He said that he will stick to his post during the Spring Festival this year with a high sense of responsibility and mission, practice General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) instruction of "firmly believing in victory and maintaining high morale" with practical actions, show the spiritual outlook of the youth of the new era in ordinary positions, and strive to gallop with the power of youth.
The broad masses of cadres and people unanimously stated that in the Year of the Horse, they will invigorate the spirit of the dragon horse, show the courage of galloping horses, and maintain the momentum of never stopping, and strive to write a new chapter in building a strong country and national rejuvenation on the new journey of Chinese-style modernization.
(Xinhua News Agency (新华社), Beijing (北京), February 15th)
Return to TopThis newspaper Milan February 16th (Reporters Ji Fang (季芳) and Li Yanfei (厉衍飞)) Local time February 16th, the Milan Winter Olympics short track speed skating women's 1000m competition concluded at the Milan Ice Rink. Chinese team athlete Gong Li (公俐) finished fifth with a time of 1 minute 29.392 seconds.
The final was surrounded by strong competitors, including the gold medalist in the women's 500m at this Winter Olympics, Dutch athlete Sandra, and local Italian athlete Fontana (方塔娜), among other famous athletes. During the race, Gong Li (公俐) closely followed her opponents, maintained her line, and made multiple attempts to overtake. Unfortunately, the gap in strength prevented her from going further.
Competing against the world's top athletes allowed Gong Li (公俐) to see the gap and also gain something, "I will continue to work hard in the future."
In the previous women's 1000m quarter-finals and semi-finals, Gong Li (公俐) performed well. In the quarter-finals, she finished third in her group with a time of 1 minute 28.147 seconds, narrowly advancing. In the semi-finals, Gong Li (公俐) withstood the pressure, maintained her position, and seized the opportunity presented by the mistakes of her group competitors, qualifying for the A group final as the second in her group, also becoming the only Chinese team athlete to advance to the A group final in this event.
Return to TopBy: 翟钦奇
The sun rises over the plateau, and green electricity is transmitted through ultra-high voltage to thousands of miles away, lighting up the lamps in the streets and alleys; the wind rises in the East China Sea, and the wind turbine blades rotate continuously, bringing a constant source of power to factory workshops; on the banks of the Yellow River (黄河), underground coal mining equipment is working hard to excavate, and coal transport trains rumble past... During the reunion moments of the Spring Festival, many people silently stick to their posts, doing a good job in ensuring warmth and supply, and guarding the lights of thousands of homes.
General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out that energy security and security are related to the national economy and the people's livelihood, and are a "major issue of the country" that cannot be ignored for a moment. In recent years, China has deepened the construction of the energy production, supply, storage and marketing system, and effectively guaranteed the energy needs of people's livelihood and economic and social development.
Drilling rigs roar, blades rotate, and energy supply capacity continues to increase. During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, China built the world's largest renewable energy system, its energy volume and scale ranked first in the world, and its energy self-sufficiency rate increased to more than 84%. Steady increase in oil and gas reserves and production, rapid development of clean energy, converging into a solid foundation for ensuring energy for people's livelihood.
Pipelines extend, power grids spread, and the energy security system continues to upgrade. By 2025, the west-to-east power transmission capacity will reach 340 million kilowatts, the mileage of long-distance oil and gas pipelines will reach 200,000 kilometers, and the external transportation volume of major coal producing areas will exceed 1.9 billion tons. The construction of a new energy system is accelerating, and energy operation and regulation adhere to the national 一盘棋 (yī pán qí - "whole chessboard," viewing the situation as a whole), bringing warmth to thousands of households more efficiently.
De-icing and snow removal, line inspection and troubleshooting, energy service levels are convenient and efficient. In 2025, the total electricity consumption of the whole society will exceed 10 trillion kilowatt-hours for the first time, the power supply reliability rate will reach 99.924%, and the smart and efficient energy network will operate smoothly. Charging piles are becoming easier to find, power outages are becoming less common, and the achievements of building a strong energy country benefit more people.
Energy security is related to the overall economic and social development. At present, more and more cutting-edge technologies are bringing new impetus to energy development - "Artificial Intelligence +" is widely used, hydrogen energy development and utilization has reached a new level, and the low-carbon transformation of energy is accelerating. These achievements will continue to be transformed into practical results in ensuring energy supply, serving the national economy and the people's livelihood, and warming thousands of homes.
Return to TopLayout design: Wang Zheping (汪哲平), Zhang Danfeng (张丹峰)
Return to TopTao Qilang (陶奇浪), a resident of Taojia Village (陶家村), Zhuji City (诸暨市), Zhejiang Province (浙江省):
Brushing off the Dust and Dirt, Steadily Walking the "Zero-Carbon" Path
These days, the three-story "plant factory" at the village entrance is entering the final stage of equipment debugging. I am very excited: here, we will cultivate Cordyceps sinensis and Ganoderma lucidum for our village!
When I was a child, more than a dozen lime kilns in the village emitted white smoke day and night. The grass by the roadside was white, and the roof tiles were covered with white ash. At that time, the villagers said: "The people of Taojia Village (陶家村), from the hair on their heads to the soles of their feet, are all 'covered in dust and dirt.'" As resources gradually dwindled, young people chose to go out. When I left for college, the village was deserted.
The change started in 2015.
That year, when I returned home for the Spring Festival, I found that the village roads were clean, and the garbage dumps and old telephone poles were gone. I learned that the village service staff from the power convenience service center had come to help improve the environment.
Several "Beautiful Village" operators also came to the village, led by a young man named Xu Huan (徐奂). They led the villagers to clean up the river and repair the roads. But without industry, the village could not "come alive."
In the spring of 2023, Xu Huan (徐奂) discovered old tea trees planted many years ago on the back mountain, which had grown into a wild tea forest 5-6 meters high. Without electricity and roads, good tea was wasted on the trees. Staff from the Fengqiao Power Supply Station (枫桥供电所) of the State Grid Shaoxing Power Supply Company (国网绍兴供电公司) came to the door. Several masters braved the scorching sun to survey the mountain and came up with a plan in a few days: build roads and provide electricity.
That period was really lively. The operating team led the villagers to build roads, and the power construction team erected power lines along the newly opened roads. With electricity, tea-making equipment was transported up, and fully automatic withering machines, de-clumping machines, and drying machines hummed. When the first pot of wild tea was fried, the aroma was overflowing.
In 2025, even bigger changes came.
Xu Huan (徐奂) found my parents and said that the village was going to build a "zero-carbon plant factory" specializing in cultivating Cordyceps and Ganoderma. They needed a college graduate to manage it and asked if I would be willing to come back. At that time, I was working in a state-owned enterprise in another place. I couldn't sleep the night I received the call, so I asked for leave to go back to the village to see.
The framework of the "plant factory" had already been set up. Xu Huan (徐奂) explained their ideas to me: "The factory uses photovoltaic panels and wind turbines to generate its own electricity, store its own energy, and use it itself."
I was moved and resigned from my job in the city and returned to the village. The market price of artificial Cordyceps is high, and we have tried planting a batch with very good quality. Plus, with self-generated electricity, the cost is low, and the benefits are visible. The village has also transformed the ore pits into landscapes, attracting many tourists. We also want to launch "Cordyceps Tea Coffee," which is both healthy and unique.
This Spring Festival, the villagers are enjoying a "zero-carbon" new life. The photovoltaic panels on the roof of the village's power convenience service center, plus the energy storage system and wind power generation devices, can not only meet the electricity needs of the "plant factory" but also supply power to the charging piles at the village entrance and the street lights along the village roads. Everyone drives electric cars to visit relatives and friends, and charging is convenient; when they go out for a walk at night, the street lights are bright.
Green mountains and clear waters are golden mountains and silver mountains. From "covered in dust and dirt" to "zero-carbon new village," the revitalization of our hometown requires everyone's participation and perseverance.
(Reported and compiled by Gu Chun (顾春), reporter of this newspaper)
Sun Jian (孙健), a resident of Chizhou City (池州市), Anhui Province (安徽省):
Sorting Garbage, Beautifying Hometown Tenfold
I was born in Chizhou (池州), Anhui (安徽), and have worked in Ningde (宁德), Fujian (福建), for many years. The most anticipated thing during the Spring Festival is returning home. This year, the scene downstairs surprised me: the row of garbage bins that used to be randomly placed in front of the unit building was gone, replaced by neat and standardized intelligent sorting points. The clean environment added warmth to the New Year atmosphere.
In my memory, the garbage bins in front of the unit building were always full, and the smell was pungent when the weather turned warm. Residents had to walk around them when entering and exiting. Now, the open space in front of the building is clean and open, with no garbage stains on the ground, the odor has completely disappeared, and the environment is clean and orderly. Garbage classification publicity signs have also been added next to the green belts and at the entrances of unit buildings in the community, with clear markings of the standards for recyclable materials, kitchen waste, and other items, making them clear at a glance.
I ran into my neighbor Sun Chenyu (孙晨宇) throwing garbage, and I curiously followed him. I saw him skillfully put recyclable garbage into the blue bin and kitchen waste into the green bin. After successful disposal, the screen showed an increase of 8 points. "These points can be accumulated in real time, and when you have enough, you can redeem them for daily necessities such as paper towels and soap," he told me. The community is also equipped with garbage classification supervisors who will promptly remind residents who sort incorrectly and will also teach the elderly how to distinguish garbage categories patiently and meticulously.
This is a typical old community with a large area and many households, and environmental management used to be a major problem. With the publicity and guidance of community workers, the caring help of supervisors, and the positive incentives of the points redemption system, residents' awareness of garbage classification has been significantly improved, from the initial "can't sort, unwilling to sort" to the current "actively sort, carefully sort." Neighbors also remind and correct each other. The transformation from living habits to ideological concepts has rejuvenated the living environment of the old community and made neighborhood relations more harmonious.
The changes brought about by garbage classification are not only in residential communities. During the holiday, I visited Qishan Scenic Area (齐山景区) and also gained a lot of surprises. Classified garbage bins are reasonably arranged on both sides of the plank road and around the scenic spots. Even in special areas that are difficult to clean, such as cliffs and lake shores, special garbage cleaning equipment is provided. According to the staff of the scenic spot, the scenic spot has now built a management mechanism of "grid patrol + intelligent dispatch" and arranged special personnel to patrol and persuade at any time, and also built a full-chain disposal system of "classified disposal - standardized collection - closed-loop transfer."
In the past, I always praised the beautiful scenery of my hometown to my friends; now, I will proudly tell them that my hometown also has an increasingly clean living environment and an increasingly strong civilized atmosphere. This small city is becoming more and more livable and charming under the promotion of garbage classification.
(Reported and compiled by Li Junjie (李俊杰), reporter of this newspaper, and Han Lei (韩磊), correspondent of this newspaper)
Qiu Shixiong (邱诗雄), a resident of Xiaxia Village (小夏村), Suichuan County (遂川县), Jiangxi Province (江西省):
Calculating the Ecological Account Well, Reciting the Bird Protection Sutra Well
Pushing open the window on the second floor of my homestay, the Luoxiao Mountains (罗霄山脉) are faintly visible in the morning mist.
The Luoxiao Mountains (罗霄山脉) are located on the border of Hunan (湘) and Jiangxi (赣). The natural pass in the middle of the mountains is a must-pass for the migration of millions of migratory birds. In the 1980s and 1990s, the mountains were mostly bare tree stumps, which were "bald spots" cut out for setting up nets to catch birds.
At the beginning of this century, Suichuan's (遂川) "Millennium Bird Path" was discovered, and the county established a full-time bird protection team. Over the past 20 years, the concept of loving and protecting birds has gradually taken root in people's hearts. The bare mountain forest vegetation has gradually recovered, and the number of birds passing through has increased from dozens to more than 200. It is said that the Oriental White Stork, a national first-class protected bird, was also monitored in 2024.
During the migratory bird season, volunteer bird protection teams organized by Hunan (湘) and Jiangxi (赣) are always on duty in the forest on rainy nights. Last year, during a bird protection patrol, I and other team members encountered several night herons that were injured after hitting street lights. After simple rescue and ensuring that they were in good condition, we took the night herons to the forest and released them.
Traveling back and forth between Suichuan (遂川), Jiangxi (江西), and Guidong (桂东), Hunan (湖南), I saw that the rural tourism development of Qingzhu Village (青竹村) in Oujiang Town (沤江镇), Guidong (桂东), next door was in full swing, and I also had the idea of opening a homestay. In 2023, I built a new two-story building and opened the first homestay in Xiaxia Village (小夏村).
The homestay focuses on affordable home cooking. There is enough yellow peach, pear and other fruits grown by ourselves, and the snacks include local pickled peppers, fried pumpkin flowers, dried bitter melon, etc. At meal times, we kill local chickens for braising, fry small fish caught in the creek, stir-fry vegetables grown in our own yard, and serve them with homemade glutinous rice wine. The guests praise it.
During the bird watching season, the rooms are fully booked by photography enthusiasts from all over the country. They travel long distances and gather here from all over the country, setting up "long guns and short cannons" in the mountains and rivers to capture the spectacular scene of thousands of birds flying during the migration of migratory birds.
Calculating the accounts, my homestay has an annual income of more than 50,000 yuan. More than a dozen homestays and farmhouses have opened in the village one after another. The village with 300 people can receive more than 5,000 tourists a year. Bamboo fungus, yellow peaches, dried bamboo shoots and other specialties are no longer worried about sales. Guests eat well in the store, and they have to pack hundreds of yuan worth of dry goods before leaving. In Xiaxia Village (小夏村), deep in the mountains, green waters and green mountains have truly become golden mountains and silver mountains.
During the Spring Festival, travelers return home. The villagers are discussing how to improve the homestay service in the new year and how to use social media platforms to promote and attract more tourists. I think we have finally found the "revitalization password" that belongs to Xiaxia Village (小夏村).
(Reported and compiled by Jiang Xuehong (蒋雪鸿), reporter of this newspaper)
Liu Yan (刘琰), a resident of Huangshi City (黄石市), Hubei Province (湖北省):
Previously Avoiding Dust, Now Pursuing Greenery
Working away from home for nearly 10 years, every year when I return home for the Spring Festival, I pay attention to the new changes in my hometown. In the past two years, the most pleasant surprise has been the old Huaxin Cement (华新水泥) factory area near my home, which has become a green treasure for our family to check in during the Spring Festival.
The Huaxin Cement Factory (华新水泥厂) in my memory is an indelible "gray mark." When I was a child, I always saw those big chimneys emitting black smoke when I passed by after school. Neighbors kept their doors and windows closed all year round, and the clothes they dried always had to be covered with an extra layer of cloth. When the factory area was closed in 2007, I was still studying abroad. When I heard the news, I only lamented the end of an industrial history and never thought that it could be rejuvenated.
One afternoon during the Spring Festival holiday, the sun was just right, and my father suggested going to Huaxin 1907 Cultural Park (华新1907文化公园) for a walk. As a family, we walked into the park, and the iconic red brick water tower came into view first. The retro steam train lay quietly on the track, reminding me of the days when I chased the train with my friends when I was a child. "When Mom was a child, she could see this train transporting cement and coal slag on the way to school every day. Now it has become a 'cultural relic'," my 10-year-old daughter said with curiosity in her eyes as she listened to me tell the story of the past.
The belt corridor that used to transport ore and cement has been upgraded to an immersive sightseeing corridor; the production workshop that has been transformed into an industrial museum clearly shows the well-preserved wet rotary kiln equipment. My father was a mechanic at the Huaxin Cement Factory (华新水泥厂) before he retired, and he is very familiar with these equipments. "This is the production line for the cement used to build the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge (武汉长江大桥) back then," he said, pointing to the iron bumps that are now quietly placed in the factory area for people to watch.
What surprised me the most was the atmosphere of the park. In the art exhibition hall transformed from the slag library, children curiously looked at old objects; on the lawn, young people set up tents for camping, and laughter intertwined with soft music; at the night market stalls not far away, creative small objects and special snacks were dazzling, and the aroma of coffee permeated the mottled old brick walls. My mother said with a smile: "I come here to stroll every day now. I used to avoid dust, but now I pursue greenery. This life is so comfortable."
While strolling, my father counted the ecological changes in his hometown: not only the Huaxin Cement Factory (华新水泥厂) area, but also the water of Cihu Lake (磁湖) is clearer, and you can always see winter swimming enthusiasts in the morning; the giant mining pit with a maximum drop of 444 meters is now a landmark attraction of Huangshi National Mining Park (黄石国家矿山公园); it used to be "a body of ash on sunny days and a foot of mud on rainy days," but now you can see green when you open the window and see parks when you go out; blue sky has become the norm, and egrets are flying in front of Xisai Mountain (西塞山) again.
As the sun sets, the industrial relics and modern green plants complement each other, and the park with gradually brightening lights is more warm. Our family took photos on the lawn to record the new look of this old industrial city in our hometown.
(Reported and compiled by Fan Haotian (范昊天), reporter of this newspaper)
Shi Jifeng (史季枫), a resident of Jing'an District (静安区), Shanghai (上海):
Being Able to See Green When Opening the Door, Full of Lively Atmosphere
I am 75 years old this year and have lived near Jing'an Temple (静安寺) in Shanghai (上海) since I was a child. It is located at the intersection of Middle Yan'an Road (延安中路) and Huashan Road (华山路), close to the Yan'an Road Elevated Road (延安路高架). Dasheng Hutong (大胜胡同) is a century-old lane residential complex where many celebrities have lived. I have always been proud of my community, especially since a new pocket park, Yanhua Garden (延华园), was added to my doorstep last year, which has greatly improved my sense of happiness.
The Yanhua Garden (延华园) plot used to be a public green space next to the elevated road. A few years ago, it was "borrowed" and closed due to the construction of Metro Line 14 (地铁14号线). At that time, the greening department said that it would return a more beautiful pocket park to the citizens in the future. The Jinghua Neighborhood Committee (景华居委会), where the community is located, also organized everyone to contribute "golden ideas" for the park design. In April 2025, Yanhua Garden (延华园) was renewed and surprised everyone.
Compared with the past, the renovated Yanhua Garden (延华园) has become open and transparent. The subway entrance is close to the park passage, and you can get home by walking through the flowers. The park covers a small area, but the design of stepped high flower beds with stacked waterfall water feature walls and rest viewing platforms makes the terrain undulating and adds a bit of winding path. Magnolia, ginkgo, Chinese tallow tree, crape myrtle, feather maple, and red maple intertwine in the flower beds to create a colorful four seasons, which not only beautifies the urban landscape but also adds color to the lives of surrounding residents.
When soliciting opinions, some residents suggested adding public toilets in Yanhua Garden (延华园), but some people were worried about odors. After Yanhua Garden (延华园) was built, we found that this problem was cleverly solved - the public toilet was designed as a "palace lantern" and became a landscape of the park, and there was no odor.
Whenever the weather is good, I go to Yanhua Garden (延华园) to practice Baduanjin (八段锦), and chat with old neighbors. When relatives and friends come, I will take them to the Yan'an Road Overpass (延安路天桥), because this is the best place to check in - behind it is the ancient Jing'an Temple (静安寺), under the feet is the bustling traffic, and in front of it is the park with blooming flowers. The history and present of Shanghai (上海) are in the same frame here.
The news said that Shanghai (上海) entered the "City of Thousands of Parks" in 2025. I feel that the boundary between the city and the park is becoming more and more blurred and is merging into one. "Being able to see green when opening the door" makes people's lives better.
(Reported and compiled by Tian Hong (田泓), reporter of this newspaper)
Return to TopBy: 申少铁
The community implements intelligent garbage sorting, making the environment more pleasant; the small mountain village loves and protects birds, developing ecological tourism, and the villagers' wallets are fuller; the city continues to promote the construction of "pocket parks," creating small green public spaces at the "doorstep" of citizens, enhancing residents' sense of happiness and gain... This year's Spring Festival, the small bridges and flowing water, blue sky and white clouds, and the sound of birds and pine waves made the journey home feel extra warm.
In recent years, the hometown is becoming more and more beautiful, which is a common feeling of many people. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, China has promoted ecological civilization construction with unprecedented efforts, deeply promoted the blue sky, clear water, and pure land defense war, continuously protected the ecology, and continuously improved the urban and rural living environment. Data shows that in 2024, the harmless treatment rate of urban domestic waste in the country has reached 99.9%; in 2025, the rural living environment will continue to improve, and the popularization rate of rural sanitary toilets will be about 77%; during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, the national PM2.5 concentration will decrease by 20%.
A good ecological environment is the most inclusive people's livelihood and well-being. Clean and hygienic working and living environment, beautiful urban parks, and micro-green spaces not only make residents feel physically and mentally happy, but also conducive to physical health. In 2025, the per capita life expectancy of Chinese residents will reach 79 years, an increase of 1.1 years compared with 2020. More importantly, a good ecology has also brought a "beautiful economy," allowing the masses to increase their income and become rich at their doorstep, and they are more motivated and active in participating in the protection of the ecological environment.
With the improvement of living standards, the masses have higher requirements and expectations for the ecological environment. At present, there are still some shortcomings in the urban and rural living environment in China, such as large regional differences, the ecological environment in the western region is still fragile, the rural living environment needs to be further improved, and the details need to be continuously improved. Building a beautiful home still needs to be continuously promoted and achieved with sustained effort.
Let the masses become the main body of building a beautiful home. Garbage sorting, protecting wild animals and plants, etc., are inseparable from the support and cooperation of the broad masses. Grassroots party members and cadres should play an exemplary role, lead the masses to love their homes, and practice a hygienic, civilized, and low-carbon lifestyle. In rural areas, we must do everything possible to combine ecological protection with rural revitalization industries, and develop sightseeing tourism and ecological picking and other "beautiful economies" in accordance with local conditions to drive more people to increase their income. The villagers of Xiaxia Village (小夏村) in Suichuan County (遂川县), Jiangxi (江西) Province, love and protect birds, attract bird-watching tourists to develop tourism, and their income has increased significantly, which is the best example.
Building a beautiful home should focus more on details. In some communities and villages, some back streets and alleys, small streams and ditches are not satisfactory. A beautiful home is on the face, but more on the inside. Whether the inside is good or not, the masses have the most say. All localities should conduct thorough research, listen to the opinions of the masses, and find out the needs of the masses. Shanghai (上海) has scarce land resources and a dense population. Before building "pocket parks," relevant departments fully listened to the opinions of residents, adopted good ideas and suggestions, made the details of the parks richer, the greenery more abundant, and the service facilities more complete.
Building a beautiful home focuses on persistence and values perseverance. On the one hand, we must do a good job in publicizing ecological and environmental protection, popularizing knowledge such as garbage sorting, resource recycling, and low-carbon living, and create an atmosphere of 人人参与、人人保护 (rén rén cān yù, rén rén bǎo hù - "everyone participates, everyone protects," everyone participates in and protects the environment), so that protecting the environment and beautifying the home becomes everyone's conscious action. On the other hand, we must also establish a normalized maintenance and reward mechanism. For example, establishing environmental protection volunteer teams in communities and villages, and rewarding families that actively practice environmental protection concepts. In this way, we can better promote the transformation of the community environment from "centralized rectification" to "daily maintenance."
Building a beautiful home is about you and me. Starting from small things around us and starting from the details, the homes we live in will be more beautiful, people's lives will be better, and the background color of a beautiful China will be brighter and more sufficient.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 吴齐强 杨 迅
As the Spring Festival approaches, Changsha (长沙), Hunan (湖南), a city recognized by UNESCO as the "World Media Arts Capital," is showcasing a unique "digital aesthetic" in its festive atmosphere – growing not only in the hustle and bustle of the holiday but also in the deep collision of technology and culture.
In Liuyang (浏阳), programmers tap their fingers lightly, and tens of thousands of fireworks weave colorful patterns in the night sky. In Malanshan (马栏山), digital technology experts use code to "revive" millennia-old intangible cultural heritage, allowing traditional patterns to leap onto the Spring Festival Gala stage and city screens. On the streets, foreign students wander through the smoky atmosphere of Pozi Street (坡子街) and the neon lights of Wenheyou (文和友), capturing moments where cyberpunk and traditional dragon dances appear in the same frame. Changsha, rooted in its old heritage and winged by new expressions, is evolving ancient folk customs into a series of observable, tangible, and interactive urban art exhibitions, writing a unique Chinese New Year.
——Editor
Fireworks See Out the Old Year
Program-Controlled Code Interprets "Aerial Art"
In the early hours, in the office of Dongxin Fireworks Group (东信烟花集团) in Liuyang (浏阳), Changsha (长沙), Deputy General Manager Zhong Liang (钟良) is finalizing a program file before heading to the firing site for a final equipment check. Outside the window, red lanterns adorn the streets, and the Spring Festival atmosphere is strong. Inside, the screen glows, and the jumping code is preparing to transform into a grand aerial performance for the New Year.
For Zhong Liang (钟良), this Spring Festival will again be spent in busyness – the company's fireworks will bloom in the night skies of dozens of cities at home and abroad, sending New Year blessings to thousands of families.
As one of the first national intangible cultural heritage projects, the craftsmanship of Liuyang (浏阳) fireworks has a long history, but Zhong Liang's (钟良) "battlefield" has long shifted from traditional workshops to the front of a monitor.
"Traditional fireworks rely on experience to ignite, we rely on computer programs to issue commands."
Zhong Liang (钟良) pointed to the screen and explained that each firework is equipped with an electronic igniter, connected to a module and a host, and through a self-developed computer-controlled ignition system, it can ensure that tens of thousands of fireworks achieve millisecond-level time synchronization in the night sky.
When the bell of the Spring Festival rings, countless people look up at the night sky and see the brilliantly blooming patterns. On the computer screen, the code is also jumping. It is these invisible digital instructions that allow the millennium tradition to radiate unprecedented vitality in the night sky of the new era.
In the context of the "World Media Arts Capital," fireworks are no longer simple gunpowder explosions, but audiovisual art of "culture + technology." With the help of drones, artificial intelligence, holographic projection, and other technologies, fireworks displays can create visual spectacles such as "meteor showers" and "extraterrestrial objects." These digital instructions originating from Changsha (长沙) have served national events such as the Beijing Olympic Games and the Winter Olympics, and are now sold to more than 20 countries and regions around the world, conveying Chinese-style romance to the world.
With the technology advancing, environmental protection cannot be relaxed. Liuyang (浏阳) focuses on micro-smoke and sulfur-free technology, and jointly tackles key problems with universities and research institutes. At present, in the four main links that produce smoke, seven achievements have achieved zero sulfur dioxide emissions, and PM2.5, PM10, and visible smoke dust have been greatly reduced. Looking up at the bright night sky, fireworks provide both emotional value and practice the commitment to green development.
Light and Shadow Celebrate the New Year
Huxiang (湖湘) Culture Shines on the "New Year's Big Screen"
Walking into the various laboratories and production bases of the Malanshan (马栏山) Video Cultural and Creative Industrial Park (视频文创产业园) in Changsha (长沙), the sound of keyboards and discussions rises and falls. With the blessing of digital technology, millennia-old cliff carvings and the world-renowned Xiaoxiang Eight Views (潇湘八景) have become stunning "New Year flavors" on the Spring Festival stage and city screens.
During the Spring Festival, the naked-eye 3D screen in front of the Malanshan (马栏山) Video Cultural and Creative Park (视频文创园) is crowded with people. On the screen, the world-renowned Xiaoxiang Eight Views (潇湘八景), such as "Mountain Market, Clear Skies" (山市晴岚) and "Evening Snow over the River and Sky" (江天暮雪), are no longer traditional ink paintings, but are transformed into lively and festive paper-cut styles.
Liu Ying (刘萤), General Manager of Malanshan Fang Laboratory Cultural Media Co., Ltd. (马栏山方实验室文化传媒有限公司), said, "We used cultural relic digital reconstruction technology to create three-dimensional models of the real landscapes corresponding to the Xiaoxiang Eight Views (潇湘八景)." With the blessing of artificial intelligence, every "snowflake" and "mountain mist" is full of the rhythm of digital life, and the Autumn Moon over Dongting (洞庭秋月) and Returning Sails off Distant Shores (远浦归帆) are renewed in the digital space, sending special New Year blessings to the citizens.
"In order to welcome the Year of the Horse and reflect the New Year flavor, we planned and produced a New Year paper-cut version of the Xiaoxiang Eight Views (潇湘八景)," said Yang Xia (杨夏), founder of Malanshan Fang Laboratory (马栏山方实验室). "In the future, our Xiaoxiang Eight Views (潇湘八景) digital art will also meet the public through digital art exhibitions, digital stage art, and other methods."
Innovative technology also shines on the stages of Spring Festival Galas across the country.
At the 2025 Hunan TV Mango TV Spring Festival Gala (湖南卫视芒果TV春节联欢晚会), the song program "Millennium Cliff" (千年摩崖) was a stunning success. Actors "talked across space" with virtual historical figures on the stage, and the flowing Yan Zhenqing (颜真卿) calligraphy on the giant screen behind them was digitally "revived."
Behind this is respect for culture and craftsmanship. "We spent a year and a half digitally scanning 505 steles in the Wuxi Stele Forest (浯溪碑林)," introduced Li Wuwang (李武望), Chairman of the Malanshan Cultural Digitalization Innovation Center (马栏山文化数字化创新中心).
Located on the banks of the Xiang River (湘水), the Wuxi Stele Forest (浯溪碑林) is a national key cultural relics protection unit. After thousands of years of wind and sun, many inscriptions have become blurred and difficult to distinguish. Zhang Zhun (张准), the project leader and general manager of Zhiliao Youth Culture Co., Ltd. (知了青年文化有限公司), led the team to use multi-spectral photography, computer vision calculation, and other technologies to achieve high-precision digital imaging and restoration of the cliff carvings.
This is in line with Malanshan's (马栏山) "culture + technology" concept – allowing digital technology to drive culture to "live" and ultimately enter daily life, driving cultural tourism consumption. Static inscriptions "speak" on the stage, and classic paintings "dance" in urban spaces.
"Bringing digital restoration results to the Spring Festival Gala stage is a 'technological and cultural integration' New Year's Eve spiritual feast," Zhang Zhun (张准) believes that this novel cultural experience is itself a new era "New Year flavor," allowing the whole family to jointly appreciate the profound charm of Huxiang (湖湘) millennium culture in front of the TV.
Exploring Spring on the Streets
Foreign Students Record "Trendy and Cool Spring Festival"
In the "World Media Arts Capital," street scenes have also become natural photography studios.
Before the Spring Festival, nearly a hundred neon billboards on Chaozong Street (潮宗街) in Changsha (长沙) flickered, and a cyberpunk style came to the fore. On the other side of the lens, a traditional dragon dance team winding its way through Pozi Street (坡子街) was slowly passing by. This scene was keenly captured by Zhao Na (赵纳), an Iraqi student at Hunan University (湖南大学).
Zhao Na (赵纳), who came to Changsha (长沙) to study in 2019, is currently pursuing a doctorate in mechanical engineering at Hunan University (湖南大学). For seven years, his footprints have spread throughout the old and new corners of Changsha (长沙), witnessing the city's transformation from "internet celebrity" to "long-term popularity."
For this pre-Spring Festival shoot, Zhao Na (赵纳) chose a very representative route: from the traditional cuisine of Pozi Street (坡子街) to the "Super Wenheyou" (超级文和友), known as a cyberpunk check-in spot. Walking into Wenheyou (文和友), Zhao Na (赵纳) felt as if he had traveled into a movie – in the 1980s scenes replicated with old objects, Yongxing Street (永远街) and video halls were scattered in an orderly manner, and colorful neon lights and multi-layered structures perfectly integrated retro and futuristic senses. And on Taiping Old Street (太平老街), just a street away, he was deeply attracted by intangible cultural heritage skills such as sugar painting and paper cutting.
Zhao Na (赵纳) is not only a recorder, but also a communicator.
Zhao Na's (赵纳) lens recorded the temple fair in Huogongdian (火宫殿), the light show on the Xiang River (湘江), the dragon dance performance in the community, and the enthusiasm of young people counting down to welcome the New Year on Jiefang West Road (解放西路). Traditional and modern Spring Festival celebrations coexist harmoniously in Changsha (长沙), forming a unique urban cultural landscape.
For Zhao Na (赵纳), the charm of Changsha (长沙) lies not only in its beautiful scenery and delicious food, but also in its people.
In his lens, the people of Changsha (长沙) are enthusiastic, inclusive, and dare to innovate, able to endure hardship, be patient, and be aggressive – it is this characteristic that makes the city full of vitality and fascinates Zhao Na (赵纳).
He shared the everyday life and Huxiang (湖湘) culture of Changsha's (长沙) streets and alleys on social media, attracting praise from many foreign netizens. Some netizens also left messages under his videos: "Through the eyes of a foreigner, I have re-acquainted myself with my city."
"Changsha (长沙), a city of mountains, rivers, and islands, is half heavy history and half brilliant fireworks," Zhao Na (赵纳) said, "I hope to continue to record Changsha (长沙) with my lens, so that more foreign friends can understand and fall in love with my vibrant 'second hometown.'"
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 张丹华
During the Spring Festival Gala of China Media Group (中央广播电视总台), the New Year's bell tolls spread across the Chinese land, accompanying hundreds of millions of Chinese people through one Lunar New Year's Eve after another. That clear, sonorous, and lingering bell sound comes from this bronze bell cast in the Tang Dynasty—the Jingyun Bell (景云钟) (see picture, drawn by Shen Yiling (沈亦伶)).
The Jingyun Bell (景云钟), now housed in the Xi'an Beilin Museum (西安碑林博物馆), has a sound as clear as a phoenix's cry. Tang Dynasty people described its sound as "wind solemn and rhythm urgent, frost heavy and tone new." Since the 1980s, recordings of the Jingyun Bell's (景云钟) sound have been designated as the New Year's bell for the Spring Festival Gala. This Tang Dynasty bronze bell has become a rare treasure in the history of Chinese cultural relics due to its unique historical, artistic, and acoustic value.
The Jingyun Bell (景云钟) was cast in the second year of the Jingyun era of the Tang Dynasty (711 AD). According to historical records, Emperor Ruizong of Tang, Li Dan (李旦), while touring Louguantai (楼观台) in Zhouzhi (周至), Shaanxi (陕西), dreamed of an auspicious omen and issued an edict to cast a large bell to commemorate the event. After the bell was completed, Li Dan (李旦) personally wrote the inscription and ordered craftsmen to engrave it on the bell.
The 292-character parallel prose inscription on the lower section of the bell is in regular script, incorporating the brushstrokes of seal and clerical scripts, ancient, elegant, rounded, and vigorous. Yang Bin (杨宾) of the Qing Dynasty praised it as "ancient, profound, and vigorous, unmatched by any other stele." "The inscription not only records the origin and casting process of the bell but also serves as a valuable physical object for studying Tang Dynasty religion, politics, and calligraphy art," said Zhang Ting (张婷), a researcher at the Xi'an Beilin Museum (西安碑林博物馆).
The Jingyun Bell's (景云钟) casting process is exquisite, magnificent, and beautiful.
This bell is approximately 2.47 meters high, weighs 6 tons, and is cast from a copper-tin alloy. It was cast using a multi-section mold casting method, using a total of 26 casting molds spliced together. Clear casting mold marks are still visible on the bell body. This segmented casting technology not only ensured the integrity of the bell body but also allowed such a huge bell to take shape, demonstrating the superb level of metallurgical casting technology in the Tang Dynasty.
The bell's decorative patterns are meticulously arranged and vivid. The bell body is divided into 3 layers from top to bottom, each layer separated into 6 grids by honeysuckle patterns, totaling 18 grids. The grids are cast with various auspicious patterns such as flying apsaras, soaring dragons, flying cranes, walking lions, the Vermilion Bird, flying phoenixes, and Kui bulls. The four corners are decorated with auspicious clouds, making the overall appearance magnificent and elegant, combining movement and stillness, symbolizing good fortune.
The bell body is distributed with 32 nipples. These protrusions not only serve as decoration but also regulate the musical temperament, making the bell sound clearer and more melodious, like the cry of a phoenix.
Thousands of years of history have accumulated in this bronze bell.
The Jingyun Bell (景云钟) was initially hung in the bell tower of the Jinglong Temple (景龙观) (later renamed Yingxiang Temple (迎祥观)) in Chang'an (长安), hence it is also known as the "Jinglong Temple Bell (景龙观钟)." In the seventeenth year of Hongwu (洪武) during the Ming Dynasty (1384), the Xi'an Bell Tower (西安钟楼) was built, and the Jingyun Bell (景云钟) was moved to the tower. The "bell" of the Bell Tower originated from this.
During the Anti-Japanese War, to prevent the national treasure from being destroyed by the war, the Jingyun Bell (景云钟) was secretly removed from the Bell Tower and buried underground outside the city. It was not until after the founding of New China that it was rediscovered and, in 1953, was housed in the Xi'an Beilin Museum (西安碑林博物馆) (formerly the Shaanxi Provincial Museum (陕西省博物馆)) for preservation to this day. The bell currently hanging in the Xi'an Bell Tower (西安钟楼) is a carefully crafted replica made in 1996, with its appearance, patterns, and even timbre striving to imitate the original, continuing the historical memory of the ancient city's "morning bell and evening drum."
Due to its extremely high historical and artistic value, the Jingyun Bell (景云钟) has become a national treasure under key state protection. It has not only been rated as a national first-class cultural relic but was also included in the first batch of cultural relics prohibited from being exhibited abroad (境) in 2002.
"These honors confirm its artistic and historical value that transcends the times. It is a three-dimensional witness to the politics, religion, art, and technology of the Tang Dynasty, and even more a vivid cultural symbol, allowing the sound of the Tang Dynasty from a thousand years ago to echo the cultural confidence of today," said Zhang Ting (张婷).
Return to TopBy: 郭建波
Inside the Sanxingdui Museum, the bronze sacred tree (see Figure 1, illustration by Xi Longyan (席隆燕)), with its dragon-like winding branches and golden crows perched on its tips, always evokes endless reverie. How exactly were such massive and intricate bronzes cast? The key lies in the unique "core-bone—strip core support combined technology" of the ancient Shu people.
To understand core-bone, one must first understand what a clay core is. The clay core is the inner core in bronze casting, which, together with the outer mold, constitutes the casting mold. Through X-CT imaging, we have discovered that clay cores are preserved within the branches of the bronze tree, and within the clay core, there is a slender, strip-shaped "inner core," relatively straight with an irregularly shaped cross-section, which can be called the "core-bone." The core-bone is created during the making of the clay core by adding organic or metallic strip-shaped materials to it, serving to reinforce and support the clay core. Core-bones are mainly found in rod-shaped, curved, and other objects with a certain length that require enhanced inner core support, such as the trunk of the sacred tree and the dragon torso of Sacred Tree No. 1, all of which utilized core-bone technology.
Core supports refer to supports used in the casting mold to maintain the relative position of the inner core and the outer mold. Their function is to avoid misalignment and adhesion between the inner core and the outer mold, in order to ensure the integrity of the casting of the vessel wall. Components with the same function as core supports have been found in Sanxingdui bronzes. They are strip-shaped, traversing horizontally through the vessel surface, vessel wall, and clay inner core, and are all made of copper, referred to as "strip core supports."
In order to achieve the effectiveness of core supports, the ancient Shu people, when making the inner core, embedded strip core supports perpendicularly along the short diameter at different positions on the same plane of the inner core. The strip core supports perpendicularly penetrate the inner core, becoming an integral part of the inner core. Ingeniously, the strip core supports need to be slightly longer than the diameter of the inner core, with the protruding parts exposed at both ends to a suitable size, so that the inner core can be placed on the mold seam of the outer mold for casting. Finally, the excess core supports on the outside of the trunk are ground and trimmed. Compared with ordinary core supports or shims, strip core supports provide better support, and it is difficult to find traces of core supports on the surface of the sacred tree, avoiding casting defects.
We call this technology of simultaneously using core-bones and strip core supports in the same object "core-bone—strip core support combined technology." This technology is only found in bronzes unearthed from Sanxingdui. Previously discovered core-bone technology was first seen in the terracotta warriors unearthed from the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (秦始皇陵), and in the necks of bronze waterfowl. Therefore, this is currently the earliest case of using core-bone and strip core support technology in the country.
Under what kind of cultural background did the "core-bone—strip core support combined technology" emerge? Although the casting technology of Sanxingdui bronzes belongs to the combined pottery mold casting technology in terms of the larger technical system, from the perspective of process details, its casting has its own technological innovations. This innovation is closely related to the unique cultural characteristics of the objects being cast. The casting and use of the bronze sacred tree is a material manifestation of the Sanxingdui culture's own belief and conceptual system. The "core-bone—strip core support combined technology" was created to adapt to the special needs of casting the sacred tree. This technological process innovation associated with specific objects once again demonstrates that Sanxingdui bronzes are not only unique in terms of culture and concepts, but also have their own unique creations in casting technology.
What deserves further consideration is whether the unique cultural and technological orientations reflected in Sanxingdui bronzes have had an impact on the bronze culture of the same period or later generations in the local and surrounding areas?
Existing archaeological discoveries and scientific research results cannot yet provide an answer, and we are still exploring. Core-bones have been found in copper spears at the Luojiaba Site (罗家坝遗址) in Sichuan, Qin Dynasty bronze waterfowl, and Han Dynasty bronze chariots and horses. We have sorted out a clear, continuous, and complete technological lineage of core-bones, which is unique in the Chinese bronze culture system. At the same time, we found strip core supports at the Jinsha Site (金沙遗址). The appearance of the same technological elements in different sites of the same culture or the same system confirms that there may be an internal inheritance relationship between Sanxingdui and Jinsha.
Zooming out to the world's metallurgical system, similar core-bone technology is also found in European bronze statues and Greek bronze horses. Their production time is similar to that of the Luojiaba Site, both in the 5th century BC, 600 years later than the Sanxingdui core-bone technology. In the past, many people believed that Chinese metallurgical technology originated from foreign imports, but the discovery of core-bone technology gives us reason to boldly speculate that Chinese metallurgical technology not only had imports, but may also have exports. I believe that in future research, we will have a more comprehensive understanding of the profound impact of Sanxingdui bronzes on contemporary and later bronze culture and technology.
(The author is an associate research librarian at the Cultural Relics Protection Center of the Sichuan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology. This report was compiled from an interview with Li Kaixuan (李凯旋), a reporter from this newspaper.)
Return to TopLayout Design: Shen Yiling (沈亦伶)
Return to TopQianwen wishes the people of the whole country a happy Chinese New Year! This New Year's greeting is stored in the surprise of the Spring Festival "free order" event and hidden in the experience of "placing an order with a word."
To the strivers: When you are busy with work, a sentence "Help me order a cup of coffee," Qianwen understands your taste, allowing warmth and efficiency to go hand in hand.
To the travelers: When you plan your itinerary, a sentence "Book a ticket to Sanya (三亚)," Qianwen sorts out the flights, allowing the journey to begin immediately.
To the homebodies: When you prepare for the New Year's goods, a sentence "Help me buy a nut gift box," Qianwen carefully selects, adding a touch of ease to the New Year's flavor.
To the leisure seekers: When you need entertainment, a sentence "Help me buy a movie ticket," Qianwen issues tickets in seconds, allowing light and shadow and happiness to have "zero time difference."
Qianwen is not just an AI assistant, but also a life steward who answers your questions and gives you what you need.
From February 6th to February 28th, the Qianwen APP will be connected to Alibaba (阿里巴巴) ecological businesses such as Taobao (淘宝), Alipay (支付宝), Fliggy (飞猪), and Amap (高德), and the "Spring Festival Treat Plan" will be launched. Users who place orders through the Qianwen APP will have the opportunity to get consumer benefits such as "free order cards."
Data source: Qianwen
Return to Top"Big Home" and "Small Home" Reflect a Thriving Atmosphere
Ren Shanshan (任姗姗)
The China Central Television (中央广播电视总台) "2026 Spring Festival Gala" arrived as scheduled.
In this annual gathering, the Year of the Horse Spring Festival Gala presented a cultural New Year's Eve dinner with profound heritage and heartwarming warmth to Chinese people around the world and friends overseas. The entire gala was filled with the spring atmosphere of all things sprouting and thriving. The integrated innovation of "thought + art + technology" connected the warm fireworks of the "small home" with the happy picture of the "big home," igniting the festive atmosphere of the Chinese New Year around the world.
The more than 4-hour gala, with the main venue in Beijing (北京) and sub-venues in Harbin (哈尔滨), Heilongjiang (黑龙江), Yiwu (义乌), Zhejiang (浙江), Hefei (合肥), Anhui (安徽), and Yibin (宜宾), Sichuan (四川), closely followed the festive connotation of the Spring Festival, integrating festival customs, cultural symbols, and scientific and technological highlights into various aspects of stage presentation, program arrangement, and visual packaging. The rich cultural connotation and abundant information of the times, transformed through the dual vocabulary of stage art and audio-visual art, conveyed the beautiful expectation of the east wind spreading brocade and spring in the heart, demonstrating the high-spirited spirit of galloping horses chasing the wind and the majestic power of thousands of miles.
The concept of "year" originally comes from the natural rhythm of the four seasons. For Chinese people, the Spring Festival is both a farewell to the old year and the beginning of a new chapter. On this year's Spring Festival Gala stage, the vibrant spring rhythm is the main theme running through it. The song and creative show program "He Hua Shen" takes "flower" as the image, presenting a visual feast of "one person one scene per month, one flower one state one view," interpreting the natural interest of the four seasons changing and the aesthetic implication of continuous life. In the symphonic street dance "Voice of Spring," street dance, ballet, and classical music are used to dance out the rhythm of different parts of the symphony, integrating the rich interest of "a riot of color is always spring." The original song "Beginning of Spring" has a lively melody, with the rain falling from the eaves and the seeds sprouting vividly presented on the stage, creating a poetic spring scene that is so attractive! Classic opera excerpts from Peking Opera, Ping Opera, Yue Opera, Cantonese Opera, and Yu Opera are performed on the same stage by four generations of old, middle-aged, young, and children, singing the beautiful vision of "prosperity in all corners of the world coming together in spring" in the melodious opera tunes and graceful movements. At the Yibin sub-venue at the confluence of the three rivers, the grand folk activity "Qing Chun Jiu" (请春酒) (inviting spring wine) kicked off with a lively start, with families sitting around, burning noodles fragrant, and joy filling the hall, and laughter and laughter on both sides of the three rivers and six banks... The vast river view of the "First City of the Yangtze River for Ten Thousand Miles" comes into view, showing the high-spirited spirit of "standing upstream." The temperature of spring, the sowing of spring, and the expectation of spring, all the rhythms of spring converge into the vibrant and growing sense of life on the stage of the Year of the Horse Spring Festival Gala.
"Year" is a day of emotion. The prayers and blessings sent by Chinese people during the Spring Festival are all composed of the most beautiful words in the world. The Spring Festival embodies the Chinese people's ardent hope for a better and happier life. This hope is expressed in detail in the Year of the Horse Spring Festival Gala. On the stage, a song "Lai Shai Qiu" (来晒秋) (Come Sun-Dry the Harvest) performed by a farmers' choir from Ningxia (宁夏) in collaboration with Phoenix Legend (凤凰传奇) sings the joy of harvest. They "sun-dry" the heavy baskets, the golden rice ears, the beautiful harvest year of abundant grains, and the richness and abundance of the spiritual world of today's farmers. When the song blending mythology and ethnic elements sounds, the children of the Chinese nation's big family, dressed in colorful costumes, hold hands and step onto the stage, and the auspicious little horses in the "Classic of Mountains and Seas" are fresh and active, showing their beautiful vision for the future. The cultures on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share the same origin. When the golden songs of the island, such as "Barefoot Walking on the Ridge," "Riding the Waves," and "Jinshan Ancient Road," sound on the stage, they evoke not only the common memories of compatriots on both sides of the Strait, but also the strong homesickness that cannot be dissolved. Reunion is the deepest emotional core of the Spring Festival. In the Harbin sub-venue in the far north, the performance singing, symphony, and ballet are strung together into a fascinating ice city tour. The visual impact of northern folk customs, ice and snow wonders, and national heavyweights is superimposed with the enthusiasm and boldness of the "Northeast Old Irons," inspiring the audience's yearning and enthusiasm to "set off immediately." From all over the world, melted into one furnace, with southern and northern tunes shining brightly, all the beautiful scenery of the world is the main stage and main scene of the Spring Festival Gala.
Chinese people value "harmony" above all else. The earliest character for "harmony" appeared in oracle bone inscriptions. The so-called "five sounds in harmony, then it can be heard" refers to the harmony of music. Harmony requires communication, coordination, unison, and resonance. Every string is beautiful, and the ensemble is melodious. On the Spring Festival Gala stage, cross-field cooperation, cross-media integration, and cross-cultural exchange, the beauty of harmony paints a grand picture of our era's art. Humanoid robots dance in the air, smartly showing off the "Kung Fu mode." The "human-machine co-advancement" that everyone has been discussing for a whole year is embodied in the program "Wu BOT." From the surprise appearance of "Yang BOT" in last year's Spring Festival Gala to the unique "Wu BOT" this year, behind the continuous expansion of new space by "art + technology" is the full display of the strength and confidence of "Made in China." Thousand-year-old murals are "moved" to the stage, and gorgeous music and dance travel through time and space. The dance "Ancient Rhyme of the Silk Road" leads the audience on a wonderful journey on the ancient Silk Road, lingering in the ancient and modern integration of human civilization. The Chinese Hani ethnic group's wooden clog dance with 800 years of history, the Lisu ethnic group's "Achimogua" nourished by the Cangjiang River, and the Spanish flamenco and Hungarian traditional folk dance Legehenyesh embrace warmly in the dance "Stepping on the Ground as a Festival." Every step, every turn, every jump, and every leap on the stage is both a dialogue and a chorus, singing a grand harmony like ten thousand horses galloping. The main stage of the Yiwu sub-venue is set up in the Global Digital Trade Center. Local folk elements such as rattles, Wuju Opera, and welcoming dragon lanterns are integrated into the songs and dances, and the atmosphere of seamless connection and access in all directions is overwhelming. In the Hefei sub-venue, representative symbols of Huifeng and Wanyun, such as Huangmei Opera, appear brilliantly, and low-altitude aircraft fly in formation, colliding with technology and humanities in this city of scientific and technological innovation to create a brilliant spark... The "top aesthetic" of Chinese aesthetics, the "sea of stars" of cutting-edge technology, and Chinese and foreign artists "singing the same song" together write a poem of shared beauty.
The Spring Festival Gala is constantly innovating with the unceasing pulse of our ancient nation. Watching the Spring Festival Gala is like flipping through the national art calendar of this year. Here, there is the steaming firewood, rice, oil, and salt, three meals and four seasons of the "small home," and there is also the thriving and vigorous spirit of China, the "big home." The bell of the Lunar Bingwu Year of the Horse has rung. Let us ride on the momentum of "**骐骥驰骋 势不可挡**" (qí jì chí chěng shì bù kě dǎng - "fine horse galloping, unstoppable momentum," an idiom describing unstoppable force and momentum), maintain the tireless spirit, and work together to whip the horse for this grand and beautiful prospect!
Sing the Happiness in My Heart to Everyone
Li Zhenhong (李震宏)
The members of our farmers' choir mainly come from Dachangchang Village (大战场村), Hongbao Village (红宝村), and Shilabacun Village (石喇叭村) in Dachangchang Town (大战场镇), Zhongning County (中宁县), Zhongwei City (中卫市), Ningxia (宁夏). On New Year's Eve, letting the national audience hear the songs from the fields of Ningxia is something we never dared to dream of.
Although we cannot reunite with our families on New Year's Eve, everyone's heart is full of excitement and pride. We not only represent ourselves, but also Ningxia, representing thousands of farmers standing on this stage, and the responsibility on our shoulders is heavy.
Coming to Beijing (北京) this month, everyone has been working hard, seizing all the time to rehearse. In addition to participating in the rehearsals arranged by CCTV (央视), we also used the hotel's banquet hall and conference room to practice. Back in the room, we spontaneously formed rehearsal groups to correct each other's movements and polish our expressions. After the lights were turned off, some team members were still lying in bed gesturing, humming the lyrics even in their dreams.
For us, this year's "New Year's flavor" is to convey the truest emotions to the audience across the country and even the world through the Spring Festival Gala stage.
We have a common belief in our hearts: to take the stage in the best condition, so that everyone can see the confident, high-spirited, and enterprising spirit of Chinese farmers. "Lai Shai Qiu" (来晒秋) (Come Sun-Dry the Harvest) is not just a song, but also shows the joy of harvest. Standing on the "high-light stage" of the Spring Festival Gala, we want to tell the people of the whole country that farmers in the new era can not only grow "China Red," but also sing the spirit. Rural revitalization not only makes our pockets bulge, but also enriches our spiritual and cultural life. Now that life is better, we want to sing the song of happiness to everyone.
After the performance, we plan to take a walk in Tiananmen Square (天安门广场), and if time permits, we will also visit the Forbidden City (故宫). Most of the members of the group are visiting Beijing for the first time, and everyone is looking forward to seeing these two places that they have longed for for a long time.
(The author is the head of the Farmers' Choir of Dachangchang Town, Zhongning County, Zhongwei City, Ningxia)
Sharing the Excitement with Hearing-Impaired Friends
Chen Jing (陈静) Guo Jiaju (郭家聚)
In last year's first barrier-free broadcast of the Spring Festival Gala by the General Station, we, as sign language actors, together with other partners from the China Disabled Persons' Special Art Guidance Center (中国残疾人特殊艺术指导中心), presented a special Spring Festival Gala to deaf audiences across the country. This year, the barrier-free broadcast of the Spring Festival Gala has been upgraded, and we two have new tasks: to participate in the barrier-free broadcast of the Year of the Horse Spring Festival Gala as "deaf directors"; more importantly, this year's barrier-free broadcast of the Spring Festival Gala will be broadcast simultaneously on the CCTV Music Channel for the first time. This is a happy moment for us disabled art workers, and a powerful demonstration of the high-quality development of the national disabled persons' cause.
In our usual performances, we have a tacit understanding because of our love for sign language, but directing work is far more complicated than performing. The hearing-impaired version of the broadcast is not a simple sign language translation, but also emphasizes "faithfulness, expressiveness, and elegance." It must first be "faithful," loyal to the original program's ideas, without bias; secondly, it must be "expressive," easy to understand, so that deaf friends can understand it instantly; the most difficult thing is "elegance," what we have to do is not only the translation of the program, but also to do a good job of "aesthetic amplifier." Therefore, we must understand the story behind the program, "drill" into the hearts of the actors, capture emotional ups and downs, and imitate the charm of the body; we must use agile gestures to help deaf friends "see" the melody and "hear" the story; we must let sign language grow a "throat" and sing its own song, bringing deaf friends a double enjoyment of vision and aesthetics. This year's language programs are completed jointly by deaf and hearing people. Hearing people use their ears, we use our eyes, and then cooperate tacitly through expressions and gestures. This is a vivid portrayal of "equality, participation, and sharing."
From performer to director, the responsibility is heavier, and the growth is more solid. We always convey information with our hearts, just to let hearing-impaired friends see the excitement of the Spring Festival Gala and feel the warmth from the country and society. Happiness is the growth after shouldering responsibility, and the perseverance of breaking down barriers with love. May this original intention of "love without barriers, sharing the excitement" illuminate the path of more people.
(The authors are both actors of the China Disabled People's Art Troupe)
A Song Dedicated to Mothers All Over the World
Deng Chao (邓超)
Singing "Mama Has a Cinema" is like a special journey. This year my mother is 80 years old. When I got this song and started trying it out softly, frames of past years seemed to flash through my mind. Before the song was finished, I was already in tears. I told myself: This song must be sung well!
Before stepping onto the Spring Festival Gala stage, I had an in-depth exchange with Peng Fei (彭飞), the producer of this song. He described to me a picture of "thousands of lights shining brightly, and a loving mother waiting for her son to return home." Through his narration, I understood the source of the song's creation - filial piety and love for parents, and the unity of family and country. Behind every mother's love, there are countless ordinary families' tenacious watch, which together form the background of our lives.
When I really stood on the Spring Festival Gala stage and sang this song, scenes of harmony in every household and several generations living under the same roof flashed in my mind. I saw the wrinkles at the corners of my mother's eyes, smelled the steaming pot of New Year's Eve dinner, and heard the laughter of the children wishing their grandparents a happy New Year; I even saw what my mother looked like when she was young, what my children would look like when they grew up, saw smiling faces, and heartfelt hugs. Unconsciously, tears filled my eyes.
Walking out of the Spring Festival Gala studio, I also want to go home and reunite with my family. On the way home, the lights outside the car window were shining brightly, and my heart couldn't help but surge with thousands of emotions: May all mothers in the world be healthy and safe, and may our motherland always be prosperous and peaceful.
(The author is an actor)
The Answer to Good Works Lies in Laughter
Cai Ming (蔡明)
This year is the twenty-ninth time I have stood on the Spring Festival Gala stage to accompany everyone through the New Year, 6 years since the last time.
In these 6 years, I have been filming, recording variety shows, and performing stage plays. For every job, I ask myself: What do the audience need now? Every time I get an answer, but the next time, the same question comes to my mind again. Every creation is a process of adjusting the focus, one end is my own creative view, and the other end is the audience's ever-changing expectations.
Returning to the Spring Festival Gala, I found that everything seems to have not changed. Creating a Spring Festival Gala skit is the most difficult job I have ever experienced. It has the commonality of skits: first, a complete and unified event; second, there is no montage, no time and space jump, and no transition on the stage; third, in a limited time, the relationship between the characters must undergo a fundamental change. In addition to these, there are two requirements unique to the Spring Festival Gala: first, the degree of joy, to make the audience laugh; second, it is suitable for all ages. But these two are fundamentally even conflicting, because it is difficult for today's comedy to be suitable for all ages. Where young people laugh, old people do not understand, and where old people laugh, young people think it is too old. It is the duty of Spring Festival Gala actors to bring joy to everyone, and all I can do is try my best.
In the new media era, everything must be faster, shorter, and more exciting. Comedy creation is also affected by this, and "梗" (gěng - "gag," a humorous or witty remark) has become the key to creation. But comedy works cannot be without a theme, let alone without characters. The Spring Festival Gala stage is a magical place. Even if the audience below are young people, and are the audience of so-called new forms of comedy, as long as the Spring Festival Gala stage is in front of them, the audience's expectations will change. They want to see characters and themes. I guess this is because the Spring Festival Gala stage means return and upholding the right to the audience. What they expect is a work that can awaken beautiful memories and beautiful feelings.
The creation process of "Grandma's Favorite" was very difficult, but in the process of building and overthrowing again and again, I realized that the audience's emotional needs have not changed, but the aesthetic needs have changed. They need to find resonance in fresher and more current stories. As creators, they must present "different" lives on the stage, to "hit" the audience's vision, stimulate their curiosity, and achieve a harmonious and symbiotic "comedy field." From another perspective, this sentence can also be reversed: the audience's aesthetic needs have changed, but the emotional needs have not changed.
Standing on the stage, looking at the expectant and sincere eyes below, I am more and more convinced that the audience has not changed, and what the audience needs has always been truly good works.
(The author is an actor)
The Technological Content of the Spring Festival Gala is Becoming More and More Abundant
Jiang Yuhao (江宇昊) Liu Luning (刘璐宁)
As a cultural symbol carrying the New Year's memories of Chinese people around the world, the Spring Festival Gala has always adhered to the integrated innovation of "thought + art + technology." When cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, ultra-high definition, and virtual reality are deeply integrated into program creation, the organic integration of Chinese technology and cultural communication will expand new space.
Technological empowerment has enabled the 2026 Spring Festival Gala to achieve a number of "firsts," comprehensively upgrading the audio-visual experience. The studio sets up reverse camera positions through the main screen opening method to accurately capture the delicate moments of the stage; the vertical screen Spring Festival Gala uses full-media ultra-high-definition production and broadcasting technology for the first time to create an ultra-clear immersive viewing experience; the three-dimensional Jingcai sound presents the entire link, and the panoramic restoration of the stage's shocking sound effects makes the audience feel as if they are on the scene.
When technology moves from behind the scenes of broadcasting to the front of the performance stage, embodied robots become another highlight. In the martial arts program "Wu BOT," the robot performs the somersaults in parkour and the decomposition of moves in martial arts in a smooth and flowing manner. The synchronization error of cluster collaborative performance is controlled within 0.1 seconds, and complex formation changes achieve zero collision. In the song "Intelligent Manufacturing Future," the robot accurately captures the rhythm of the music and flexibly completes a variety of dance movements, breaking the stereotype of "mechanical dance." In the skit "Grandma's Favorite," relying on speech recognition and natural language processing capabilities, the robot completes impromptu dialogues with the actors, realizing the leap of embodied intelligent robots from "precise execution" to "autonomous interaction."
AIGC (Artificial Intelligence Generated Content) technology allows the Spring Festival Gala stage to present stunning and moving visual spectacles. "Ode to the Flower Goddesses" begins with the "White Jade Monthly Command Set Pendants" from the Palace Museum (故宫博物院) and uses AIGC real-scene expansion technology to allow the flower goddesses of the four seasons to "travel" through time and gather on the real-scene stage with the beautiful scenery of the lunar months. Artificial intelligence accurately identifies the main actors and the stage structure, migrates and imitates real camera movements, and combines the generated beautiful illusions such as red plum reflecting snow in the first month, fish swimming under lotus in June, and osmanthus rain accompanying the moon in August, allowing the broadcasting hall to break through physical limitations and present a shocking visual feast of ever-changing scenes. In "Ode to the Wind," Xu Beihong's (徐悲鸿) "Six Horses" ("六骏图") is accurately "digitally resurrected," with ink horses breaking through the wall and moving to the rhythm of the music. Relying on the artificial intelligence large model's recognition and understanding of the singer and the stage, the six horses, leaping and shuttling with the melody, form an immersive interaction with the singer.
In recent years, XR (Extended Reality) ultra-high-definition shooting has been widely used in film and television shooting and production. This year, the Spring Festival Gala broadcasting hall has specially set up an XR stage, and the 10-meter-high vertical screen brings a wider extension space for three-dimensional images. In programs such as "Intelligent Manufacturing Future" and "Ancient Rhyme of the Silk Road," through real-time rendering, virtual scenes extend layer by layer along the vertical screen, seamlessly blending with the real scene. Ultra-realistic digital humans are also integrated into stage performances for the first time. The program "Bottom of the Dream" perfectly replicates the image and physical performance of the actor Liu Haocun (刘浩存) through light field acquisition, forming a high-precision dynamic three-dimensional model, allowing the "digital avatar" to dance on the same stage with the real actor and "travel" through different scenes to perform. In the acrobatic program "Drawing a New Spring," the Chinese diabolo and the juggling clubs of the Austrian and German acrobatic troupes hide infrared light sources that are invisible to the human eye, and the infrared cameras set up on the scene are the "eyes" that specifically "stare" at these lights. Relying on algorithms to perform real-time analysis and intelligent calculation of the angle and distance changes of the light spots, the real-time position and movement trajectory of the target props are accurately calculated, so that the props can be transformed into "aerial brushes" and work with the actors to draw a unique light and shadow visual show.
From breakthroughs in independent technology to upgrades in interactive experience, this is not only a visual and auditory feast, but also a vivid display of cultural confidence. In the wave of technology empowering culture, the Spring Festival Gala is using continuous innovation vitality to make the excellent traditional Chinese culture bloom with more brilliant colors in the new era.
(The authors are all members of the 2026 China Media Group (中央广播电视总台) Spring Festival Gala visual director team)
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