China willing to work with Arab countries to carry forward spirit of China-Arab friendship

China is willing to work with Arab countries to carry forward the spirit of China-Arab friendship, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a press briefing in Beijing on Friday. Guo made the remarks in response to a media query about the 7th China-Arab States Expo, which opened on Thursday in Yinchuan, capital city of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

"Since the launch in 2013, the China-Arab States Expo has been an important platform for Belt and Road cooperation between China and Arab states. We've learned that themed 'Innovation, Green Development and Prosperity', this expo focuses on digital economy, clean energy, artificial intelligence, modern agriculture, water resources, smart meteorology and other trending topics, and is expected to reach a good number of results. This says a lot about the vigorous trade cooperation between China and Arab states. The expo will feature the council meeting of the China-Arab Countries Inter-Bank Association, the silk road e-commerce innovation and development conference, and other events on meteorology, standardization and intellectual property, the first of their kind in the expo's history, which will give a fresh boost to cooperation between China and Arab states," Guo said.

"Next year, the second China-Arab States Summit will be hosted in China. China stands ready to work with Arab states to carry forward the spirit of China-Arab friendship, carry out 'eight major cooperation initiatives' for our practical cooperation and 'five cooperation frameworks', write a new chapter for common development, and promote the building of a China-Arab community with a shared future," Guo said.

China willing to work with Arab countries to carry forward spirit of China-Arab friendship

China willing to work with Arab countries to carry forward spirit of China-Arab friendship

The China Media Group (CMG) held the first rehearsal for the 2026 Spring Festival Gala on Saturday, fine-tuning the highly anticipated TV event amid the festive atmosphere of the traditional Chinese New Year.

The rehearsal seamlessly integrated innovative technologies with vibrant stage visuals, offering a first glimpse of the gala's overall impact under the theme "Galloping Steed, Onward Unstoppable.”

Inspired by traditional Chinese culture, the Year of the Horse gala incorporates zodiac themes that symbolize perseverance and progress. The production merges art and technology, using AI, AR, and XR to create immersive, blended-reality visuals. Horse-themed artistic installations shape a dynamic stage, while original songs and opera pieces convey the spirited ethos of the zodiac year.

Robots, which made their debut in last year's gala, will once again take the stage at the Spring Festival Gala, showcasing the country's technological advancements.

Known as "Chunwan" in Chinese, the gala has been broadcast live annually since 1983 and is regarded as a major cultural symbol for the Chinese New Year celebrations in China. This year's gala will air on Feb 16, the eve of the Chinese New Year.

The gala has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the most-watched annual television program worldwide. Just over a year ago, the Spring Festival itself was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

CMG holds first rehearsal for 2026 Spring Festival Gala