CMG wraps 2025 Mid-Autumn gala in Sichuan, blending ancient Shu relics with robotics

China Media Group (CMG) has completed filming of its 2025 Mid-Autumn Festival Gala in Deyang, southwest China's Sichuan Province, featuring a groundbreaking performance that pairs humanoid robots with ancient Shu artifacts.

Set against the serene beauty of Xuanzhu Lake, the gala's main stage draws on Deyang's natural landscape, where misty mountains and shimmering waters create a poetic, dreamlike atmosphere.

The city is also home to the Sanxingdui archaeological site, hailed as one of the most significant discoveries of the 20th century. Spanning 12 square kilometers, the ruins are believed to be remnants of the Shu Kingdom, dating back 4,500 to 3,000 years. Nearly 20,000 artifacts have been unearthed, including bronze sacred trees and ceremonial masks.

Inspired by this rich heritage, the gala integrates elements from Sanxingdui into its performances, featuring imaginative interactions between humanoid robots and bronze relics. The result is an immersive experience that bridges ancient civilization and modern technology, showcasing both China's cultural depth and its innovative spirit.

"In one of the performances, ancient bronze masks and standing figures will interact with robots symbolizing the future of technology. This creates a unique form of expression, bridging the ancient and modern worlds," said Yang Qifang, chief writer of the CMG 2025 Mid-Autumn Festival Gala.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional Chinese celebration, held on the 15th day of the eighth month in the lunar calendar. It is when the moon is at its fullest, symbolizing family reunion. This year, the day falls on Oct 6.

CMG wraps 2025 Mid-Autumn gala in Sichuan, blending ancient Shu relics with robotics

A Chinese mainland spokesperson has accused the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities of abusing judicial power to silence dissent after Taiwan regional internet influencer Chen Chih-han was indicted.

Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, spoke at a press briefing on Wednesday in response to a question about the prosecution of Chen, better known as "Guan Zhang" or "gym boss."

The New Taipei district prosecutors alleged on January 8 that Chen, who runs a YouTube channel, knowingly used "inflammatory language" during a livestream despite being aware of the channel's large and diverse audience and the likelihood that his remarks would spread widely, according to media reports.

She said the case exposed political manipulation of the judicial system.

"The DPP authorities is abusing judicial means to intimidate and suppress the Taiwan people who support cross-Strait exchanges, attempting to create 'green terror' and restrict the freedom of the Taiwan public. In essence, this serves the separatist agenda and will inevitably face opposition and rejection," Zhu said.

Mainland spokesperson slams DPP authorities over prosecution of internet celebrity