China Media Group unveils mascots for Spring Festival Gala

The China Media Group (CMG) on Thursday unveiled four vibrant mascots for the 2026 Spring Festival Gala, heralding the upcoming Year of the Horse with wishes of vitality and ambition.

The Chinese lunar year for 2026 is the Year of the Horse and will begin on February 17, 2026.

Horse is one of the most dynamic and spirited in the 12-animal Chinese zodiac cycle, representing strength, perseverance, and unstoppable momentum.

The four horses were named from the Chinese saying -- "Qi Ji Chi Cheng"-- meaning "Galloping steed, Onward unstoppable", which is also the theme of the upcoming gala.

Inspired by classic representations of horses across different periods of Chinese history, the mascots are adorned with classic elements of traditional Chinese clouds and thunder.

The design is a reflection of the spirit of renewal and progress in the new year.

Qiqi, a dark-colored horse, features a vigorous posture, fully embodying the forward-looking and ambitious spirit.

Jiji, a horse spreading wings to soar through the clouds in pursuit of the sun, represents a spirit of striving and upward momentum.

Chichi has a tied-up tail, fully displaying a demeanor of confidence and composure.

The image of Chengcheng was inspired by Przewalski's horse. As the only surviving wild horse species on Earth, it is known as a "living genetic fossil" with a 60-million-year evolutionary history.

Being robust and agile, Chengcheng showcases the harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.

The Spring Festival Gala hosted by CMG has been an essential part of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations since 1983. The gala includes songs, dances, comic sketches, operas, and folk arts.

The annual spectacle, known as the most-watched television program in the world, is broadcast on the eve of the Chinese New Year, when families come together to ring in the new lunar year.

This year's Spring Festival Eve falls on Feb 16, 2026.

China Media Group unveils mascots for Spring Festival Gala

China Media Group unveils mascots for Spring Festival Gala

China Media Group unveils mascots for Spring Festival Gala

China Media Group unveils mascots for Spring Festival Gala

China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Fu Cong on Wednesday called for joint efforts to foster an inclusive, open and green information society at the High-level Meeting of the General Assembly on the overall review of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) at the UN Headquarters in New York City.

The high-level meeting, held on Tuesday and Wednesday, provides an opportunity for in-depth discussions on important issues in the implementation of the outcomes of the WSIS, which was held in two phases, in Geneva in 2003 and Tunis in 2005.

"Twenty years ago, the World Summit on the Information Society mapped out a vision for an information society that is people-centered, inclusive and development oriented. Thanks to the concerted efforts of all countries, this vision is gradually coming to fruition. Over the past two decades, China has actually implemented the outcomes, promoted digital innovation, access and application, and shared digital dividends with the international community through open-source cooperation. China has also proposed the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative to help countries in the Global South to implement the 2030 agenda for sustainable development," Fu said at the meeting.

As the digital and smart transformations sweep across the world today, it is necessary for the international community to enhance coordination and cooperation, he said.

China is willing to work together with all parties to build an inclusive information society that delivers benefits to all, an open information society that is shared by all, and an information society that is green and environment friendly, to turn the WSIS vision into reality, Fu said.

China calls for joint efforts to build inclusive, open, green information society