2026 Spring Festival Gala mascots displayed on outdoor screens across China

The official mascots for the 2026 Spring Festival Gala, a set of four majestic horses, have recently been displayed on outdoor screens across China.

With the theme "Galloping Steed, Onward Unstoppable," the mascots, Qiqi, Jiji, Chichi, and Chengcheng, were unveiled by the China Media Group (CMG) on December 18. They embody the nation's journey towards a new Chinese miracle.

In Guangzhou City, a bustling economic hub in southern China, images of the Spring Festival Gala mascots are prominently displayed on screens in popular shopping districts, attracting many residents who made a stop to snap photos.

"I can see the elements of the Year of the Horse under the Canton Tower. It truly evokes a festive atmosphere," said local resident Ms. Mo.

According to the CMG, three of the mascot designs draw inspiration from iconic horse figures appearing in art across Chinese history, specifically from the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 BC), and the Han (202 BC-220 AD) and Tang (618-907) dynasties. The fourth is modeled on Przewalski's horse, the world's only surviving species of truly wild horse. Together, they blend Chinese cultural heritage with a dynamic spirit of innovation.

The mascot designs have been well received as they amplify the festive spirit associated with the upcoming Spring Festival, or the Lunar New Year, one of the most significant traditional celebrations in Chinese culture.

"I think these mascots incorporate traditional Chinese elements. They’re really cute. My favorite is Qiqi as it’s a black horse, which I see as a good omen. I hope to be like a 'dark horse,'" said Zheng Shiqin, a college student.

"The colors of the four little horses are vibrant and festive, creating a strong sense of the Spring Festival. It makes me feel that the New Year spirit is growing stronger," local resident Hu Yuanmei said.

In 2026, the Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, falls on February 17.

2026 Spring Festival Gala mascots displayed on outdoor screens across China

2026 Spring Festival Gala mascots displayed on outdoor screens across China

Israeli military strikes on Lebanon, launched shortly after the United States and Iran reached a two-week ceasefire, have drawn widespread condemnation across the Middle East, yet Israel vowed to continue fight against Hezbollah.

A two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran took effect early Wednesday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office on Wednesday expressed support for the U.S. decision to suspend strikes on Iran for two weeks, but explicitly stated that the ceasefire does not include Lebanon.

On the same day, U.S. Vice President JD Vance also denied the inclusion of Lebanon in the ceasefire, noting that Iran had assumed the ceasefire covered Lebanon but the U.S. never made such a commitment.

In response, Mohsen Rezaee, military advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader, posted on social media late on Wednesday that Iran stands firmly with Hezbollah and will jointly punish Israel for its actions.

The strikes across Lebanon have caused heavy casualties. According to Lebanese Civil Defense, at least 254 people have been killed and 1,165 others injured, with densely populated neighborhoods in Beirut among the hardest hit.

The continued Israeli military operations in Lebanon have drawn strong condemnation from several regional countries. Iraq, Qatar, and Egypt, among others, have condemned Israel's actions.

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit described the ceasefire as an important step in the right direction to de-escalate tensions and prevent the region from sliding into catastrophic scenarios.

He urged Israel to respect the spirit of the ceasefire arrangements and immediately halt its military operations in Lebanon.

Israeli strikes on Lebanon trigger regional condemnation