CMG Lantern Festival gala set to air with surprises in store

The China Media Group (CMG)'s 2025 Lantern Festival Gala, one of the premier television events on China's entertainment calendar, is set to air at 20:00 Beijing time on Wednesday, offering a vibrant array of performances showcasing the richness of traditional Chinese culture.

The Lantern Festival, observed on the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar, lands on Wednesday this year, and symbolizes the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations.

First broadcast in 1985, this year's Lantern Festival Gala is again staging a whole host of entertaining variety performances including energetic song and dances, comedy sketches, as well as traditional operas and acrobatics displays, all of which showcase China's unique cultural charm.

In addition, the show will also highlight the traditional customs of the Lantern Festival, such as viewing spectacularly-designed lanterns, guessing riddles and eating glutinous rice dumplings, helping reflect a joyful and festive atmosphere.

The show's director revealed that Wednesday night's broadcast is also set to reprise several popular acts which starred during this year's Spring Festival Gala, which was held on the eve of the Chinese New Year and broadcast in front of a huge global audience.

"At the show, hosts, along with guests, performers and audience, will guess riddles and celebrate the Lantern Festival together. Viewers will be able to see intangible cultural craftsmanship, and glutinous rice dumplings made at the scene. There will also some of the punchlines from this year's Spring Festival Gala, serving as a 'call back'," said Yu Lei, chief director of the CMG's 2025 Lantern Festival Gala.

Zhou Shen, an acclaimed singer who is set to appear in the gala, says he hopes to share the festive spirit of this important annual occasion.

"This time, I will present a very dreamy and warm song. I feel quite festive every time I perform for the audience on the stage of the Lantern Festival Gala. It makes me feel like I am celebrating the festival with everyone," said Zhou.

Meanwhile, another surprise is in store, especially for film fans, as a special segment themed on the wildly popular Chinese animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" is set to feature during the CMG gala.

The movie has shattered box office records since being released during the recent Spring Festival holiday, and has already amassed over 9.2 billion yuan (about 1.3 billion U.S. dollars) and attracted over 187 million viewers -- numbers that have not only outpaced those of all other movies screened in China, but also rivaled the success of some of Hollywood's biggest hits.

Chinese rock star Zhang Wei (Wowkie Zhang), along with Lyu Yanting, the actress who voices the titular character 'Ne Zha' in the film, will perform a duet accompanied by a troupe of child dancers, in what is sure to be one of the gala's most unmissable acts.

"Since Ne Zha is so widely loved by everybody, I will use his voice to sing this song. There will be many children dressed up like Ne Zha, which will make a lively and joyful atmosphere," said Lyu.

CMG Lantern Festival gala set to air with surprises in store

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests