The China Media Group (CMG)'s 2025 Lantern Festival Gala on Wednesday evening transported viewers back in time with a nostalgic song depicting local life in the city of Wuhan in central China's Hubei Province, which served as one of the show's sub-venues.
The ballad, jointly performed in the Wuhan dialect by local singer Feng Xiang alongside singing star Steve Chou from China's Taiwan region, harked back to life by the riverside in Wuhan during the 1960s and 1970s with seasonal flowers, tea vendors and other distinctive elements synonymous with daily life in the city back then.
The ensemble piece later reached its climax with a choir of singers joining the main duo, before a dazzling series of traditional lion dances, acrobatics, magic shows and other action-packed elements culminated in spectacular fireworks and a shining full moon over the Yangtze River.
In addition to the main stage in Beijing, Wuhan was one of the four sub-venues of this year's gala, with the other three being the bustling southwestern metropolis of Chongqing, the ancient city of Lhasa in the Xizang Autonomous Region and the historic water town of Wuxi in east China's Jiangsu Province. First broadcast in 1985, this year's Lantern Festival Gala again staged a whole host of entertaining variety performances including energetic song and dances, comedy sketches, as well as traditional operas and magic shows, highlighting China's unique cultural charm.
The Lantern Festival, observed on the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar, lands on Feb 12 this year, and marks the conclusion of the country's Spring Festival celebrations, which center around the Chinese New Year.
Nostalgic ballad depicting life in Wuhan takes viewers back time at Lantern Festival Gala
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
