Innovation show fuses Chinese pop music with traditional architecture

An innovative fusion of Chinese pop music and traditional architecture wowed audiences during the China Media Group (CMG) Spring Festival Gala on Tuesday, offering an audiovisual feast to viewers tuning in from around the world.

The creative show Pillars and Beams drew inspiration from the Beijing Central Axis which has been added by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to its World Heritage List in 2024.

With stunning visual effects, the song, which was performed by Chinese pop music duo Phoenix Legend, took the audience on a journey to appreciate the enduring Chinese aesthetics of the resplendent pavilions and towers, showcasing the ingenious design and cultural depth behind Chinese ancient architecture.

Beijing, with a history of over 3,000 years, has served as the distinctive landmarks of the Chinese capital for 870 years, making it a treasure trove of cultural heritage.

The Beijing Central Axis, the best-preserved example of traditional central axis architecture in China, extends 7.8 kilometers from Yongding Gate in the south to the Bell and Drum Towers in the north.

The gala, also known as "Chunwan", was first broadcast back in 1983 and is seen as a major cultural symbol for the traditional Spring Festival celebrations in China.

Recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world's most-watched annual TV program, the hours-long television extravaganza attracts over a billion views every year.

The Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, falls on Jan 29 this year, ushering in the Year of the Snake.

Innovation show fuses Chinese pop music with traditional architecture

Innovation show fuses Chinese pop music with traditional architecture

China's foreign exchange reserves stood at 3.3421 trillion U.S. dollars at the end of March 2026, down 85.7 billion dollars, or 2.5 percent, from the end of February, official data showed on Tuesday.

The State Administration of Foreign Exchange noted that in March, the U.S. dollar index rose, while prices of major global financial assets declined, influenced by the global macroeconomic environment, monetary policies of major economies, and market expectations.

The combined effects of exchange rate conversion and changes in asset prices led to a decrease in China's foreign exchange reserves during the month, the administration said.

China's economy registered steady and improving performance during the period, with new and higher-quality development momentum. Its steady performance provided solid support for keeping the scale of the country's foreign exchange reserves basically stable, according to the administration.

China's foreign exchange reserves decline in March