Overseas Chinese worldwide look forward to 2025 Spring Festival Gala

The overseas Chinese worldwide are eagerly looking forward to the 2025 Spring Festival Gala, a grand celebration presented by the China Media Group (CMG).

At the recent receptions held in the Chinese embassies in Egypt and Iran to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year which falls on on January 29 this year, the promotional video of the gala was screened, captivating the audience in attendance.

"The Spring Festival Gala has grown along with our generation. I was born in 1979, and the first gala was aired in 1983. As far back as I can remember, I have spent every Chinese New Year's Eve with my family enjoying the gala. I hope that the CMG gala will continue to improve and bring together all Chinese people around the world," said Song Chao, a reception attendee in Egypt.

"The promotional video I watched today features a wealth of technology and other elements, and it truly amazed me," said Ma Tianyuan, a reception attendee in Iran.

In Honduras, the local Chinese Cultural Exchange Association will host a variety of activities to celerate the Spring Festival, including karaoke competitions, lion dance performances, and calligraphy activities.

"We have always watched the Spring Festival Gala on the Chinese New Year's Eve, as it holds a special place in our childhood memories. We all love this program," said Hou Wenguang, deputy head of the association.

The gala, also known as "Chunwan" in Chinese, has been broadcast live annually on the Chinese New Year's Eve since 1983, and has been seen as a major cultural symbol for the traditional Lunar New Year celebrations in China.

The 2025 Spring Festival gala will be the first edition since the Spring Festival's successful inclusion on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

For Chinese people, the gala has evolved beyond a mere television show. It represents a nationally shared experience, a collective memory, and its evolution is in many ways representative of China's wider technological growth and social development.

Overseas Chinese worldwide look forward to 2025 Spring Festival Gala

Visitors can now experience firsthand how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping future lifestyles at the newly opened AI Matrix Store "MetAI Hub" in Shanghai's Zhangjiang AI Innovation Town.

Opened on May 11, the nearly 2,000-square-meter space features more than 500 AI products from 100 brands. Unlike traditional "display-only" technology venues, the store encourages visitors to touch, test, and interact with the latest AI products.

The store houses six themed zones, including a curated product space, makers' workshops, and an AI health area. One of the most popular attractions is an AI health screening system that generates a rapid health assessment report within 90 seconds using non-contact sensing technology.

The store also functions as a makerspace for innovators, helping startups test products in real-life scenarios and shorten the time it takes to turn a concept into reality.

"Here we can see the advanced processing equipment, including 3D printer and laser engraver. We also have a highly experienced technical team that helps One-Person Companies quickly bring their ideas to life and conduct model testing," said Lan Chaoxiang, head of the Maker Area of MetAI Hub.

In addition, the AI Matrix Store aims to serve as a global launch platform for AI products and a gateway for startups expanding overseas.

"When their products are still in the prototype stage, we will build a complete funding mechanism for producers, allowing many global geeks to get a sneak peek. We also hope to combine online and offline channels for this overseas expansion platform," said Zhao Tongyang, an executive at the store.

Zhao said the store will be developed into an AI ecosystem center rather than a traditional retail outlet, combining experience, commerce, incubation, and social interaction.

Visitors explore future lifestyles at newly opened AI store in Shanghai