China Media Group (CMG) has completed the recording of the 2025 Spring Festival Chinese Opera Gala in the ancient county of Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi Province, on Tuesday.
The gala will be aired across multiple CMG channels, including CCTV-1, CCTV-3, and CCTV-11, during the upcoming Spring Festival which marks the start of the traditional Chinese Lunar New Year, promising a delightful feast of traditional Chinese opera for viewers.
This year's gala has brought together close to 80 opera troupes from across the country, representing over 30 different types of traditional operas.
The star-studded lineup features renowned artists, up-and-coming performers, as well as crossover singers and actors, all coming together to showcase the rich tapestry of China's vibrant operatic heritage.
"In addition to the classic repertoire, we've also incorporated some fusion elements between traditional opera and popular culture. For example, in the performance of 'Old Alley Fireworks,' we've taken the filming directly to the streets, allowing everyone, the young people in particular, to join in this blending of operatic culture," said Yu Hongya, the chief director of the gala.
The main stage of the gala was designed to capture the enchanting ambiance of the ancient county seat of Taiyuan, with the architecture serving as a natural backdrop for the performances.
The production team also utilized drone aerial footage and outdoor scenes to seamlessly integrate the stage with the city's iconic landmarks, such as the Yingze Bridge, and the Shanxi Provincial Museum, immersing the audience in the timeless beauty of Chinese opera.
"Today, in the filming of 'The Bridal Sedan,' we captured the bride's journey, including her ascent up the stairs, in a manner akin to filming a TV drama. By incorporating on-location shoots, it has greater appeals to the younger audience," said actress Chen Li, a performer in the gala.
The Spring Festival is the grandest traditional festival in China and an occasion for family reunion. It falls on Jan 29 this year, ushering in the Year of the Snake, the 6th of the 12-year cycle of animals that appear in the Chinese Zodiac.
CMG's 2025 Spring Festival Chinese Opera Gala wraps up recording
CMG's 2025 Spring Festival Chinese Opera Gala wraps up recording
A series of cross-Strait exchange activities have been held in north China's Shanxi Province, providing platforms for people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait to explore shared history, culture, and business opportunities.
A ceremony worshiping Emperor Yandi, a legendary ancestor of the Chinese nation, was held in Gaoping, a county-level city in Shanxi on May 24.
The worship ceremony featured rituals including incense offering, the reading of eulogies, ritual bowing, and traditional Chinese instrument performances. The solemn event brought together people from both sides of the Strait, strengthening their shared sense of cultural belonging and deepening consensus around a common Chinese identity.
"Because (in Taiwan), we've known since childhood that we are descendants of Emperor Yandi and Emperor Huangdi, so attending this ceremony really meant a lot to me," said Hsieh Yu-Chan, a Taiwan resident.
"It truly gives me the feeling of being as the descendants of Yandi and Huangdi. I was deeply moved. If I have the opportunity, I will definitely come again next year," said another Taiwan resident.
Shanxi Province has a solid industrial base and a favorable business environment. The province has rolled out preferential policies for Taiwan residents, attracting more than 100 Taiwan-funded enterprises to invest and settle in.
On May 23, an event highlighting cross-Strait business exchanges was held in the province's Jincheng City, attracting nearly 150 Taiwan businesspeople and youths, enhancing mutual understanding and exploring business opportunities.
"(Shanxi's) cultural tourism, healthcare, and coal chemical industries, in particular, offer excellent opportunities for Taiwan businesses, while Taiwan businesses are also very strong in producing key components for AI computing power. The prospects [for cooperation] are very promising," said Lee Cheng-hung, president of the Association of Taiwan Investment Enterprises on the Mainland.
"The mainland's economy is actually very strong. I think the success rate of starting a business and investing here is at least twice as high as in Taiwan. So I encourage young people in Taiwan to come and visit more often," said Chang Han-hsuan, a businessman.
During the event, participants also visited local enterprises, a short video production base, and popular tourist attractions across Shanxi.
Cross-Strait cultural, business exchange activities held in Shanxi
