A choir of girls from Daliang Mountain in southwest China's Sichuan Province will perform a traditional folk song on the main stage of the 2025 Spring Festival Gala in Beijing on Tuesday night.
The choir titled "Niuniu", meaning little girl in Chinese, was established by Jibu Xiaolong, the music teacher of the young singers at the Central Primary School of Dacao Town, Puge County in Sichuan.
Their clear voices and pure smiles have recently captivated the practice hall during a rehearsal break of the gala.
"It's actually a bumpy journey from Daliang Mountain. We took a long bus ride to Xichang, and then switched to plane to come here. Many children kept vomiting during the trip. And then, we have received attention and care. Although the weather is cold in the north, our hearts feel warm. The children have also quickly recovered, so we are very happy," he said.
Jibu highlighted that the majority of the choir members are children of migrant workers, and have found a sense of empowerment and self-assurance through their participation in the choir, transforming from shy and introverted to confident individuals.
Li Shuhui, director of singing programs at the gala, can still recall the debut of the Niuniu Choir at the rehearsal over a month ago.
"They were wearing all kinds of clothes. There were sweaters, shirts and T-shirts. When we got to the stage, there was only very basic light. All the girls stood in a small group and then sang the song, without neat movements or well combed hair. But many directors wept and were deeply moved. They are so simple and sincere, which makes their performance very touching. From the beginning, we have been simplifying the design of their program, from the shape of the stage to their formation, as well as the children's movements. At first, they were supposed to wear makeup, but now, they basically wear no makeup. They will be on the stage just after simple face cleaning, after getting up. We have been guiding the children to perform like they are not on a stage but a mountain and are singing to the distant moon," Li said.
The gala, also known as "Chunwan" in Chinese, has been held since 1983 and aired live on the eve of the Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival. It has become a fixture for many Chinese households as part of the country's largest annual holiday celebrations. The 2025 Spring Festival falls on Jan 29, which is the first day of the Year of the Snake.
Girls choir from Sichuan to perform mountain melodies at Spring Festival Gala
The unveiling ceremony for the Sino-Russian Consortium for Innovation in Forestry Education, Science and Industry took place in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on Monday, prior to Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to China on May 19-20.
Jointly initiated by Northeast Forestry University and Saint Petersburg State Forest Technical University, the consortium includes 48 universities, research institutes and enterprises from both countries.
It focuses on talent cultivation, joint research and cultural and industrial exchanges, promoting faculty and student exchanges, course sharing and joint labs to advance sustainable forestry development.
Representatives from the founding universities and an enterprise partner elaborated on the significance of the consortium and its expected impact.
Song Wenlong, president of Northeast Forestry University, highlighted the transformative nature of the partnership.
"The consortium marks a shift from loose exchanges to institutionalized, normalized and substantive cooperation. It has greatly enhanced the international cultivation of forestry talents and the original innovation capacity in scientific research, contributing Chinese and Russian wisdom and strength to deepening China-Russia good-neighborly friendship, empowering regional green development, and building a global ecological security barrier," said Song.
Irina Melnychuk, president of Saint Petersburg State Forest Technical University, spoke about the long-standing friendship and the new synergy the consortium aims to create.
"Our two universities have a long history of friendship. However, to enhance the effectiveness of our cooperation, we decided to establish this consortium. We hope it will generate this kind of synergy. For all those involved in this consortium, there is an opportunity to achieve such significant new results," said Melnychuk.
Alexander Resin, a representative of a Russian enterprise, emphasized the talent exchange and practical immersion opportunities the consortium will provide.
"Today, both China and Russia need highly professional and well-educated talents. Of course, this also provides opportunities for Chinese students to intern at Russian enterprises and for Russian students to intern at Chinese enterprises. This is a very beneficial exchange of ideas, plans, goals and tasks, as well as an opportunity to immerse oneself in real production processes," said Resin.
By 2025, China and Russia had established over 150 cooperative education institutions and programs.
Fifteen university alliances of similar types have brought together more than 800 universities from the two countries to carry out joint scientific research and collaborative innovation.
Sino-Russian forestry education consortium launched in northeast China for green growth
