China's Shenzhou-21 astronauts, 42nd Antarctic scientific expedition team, and sailors on the aircraft carrier Fujian sent New Year wishes to the motherland and the Chinese people through China Media Group (CMG)'s New Year Gala aired on Wednesday.
"Viewing the high sky and the vast earth, one can feel the boundlessness of the universe. Here I wish everyone in the new year that all things unfold in harmony with your hopes," said Zhang Lu, Shenzhou-21 mission commander.
"How do celestial bodies such as the sun and the moon interact with each other? How should the stars be arranged in the sky? In the new year, may you carry the spirit of 'Wentian,' daring to face the unknown and pursuing what you truly love," said astronaut Wu Fei.
"The roc will one day rise up with the wind, and soar ninety thousands miles up straight. In the new year, may all your dreams come true," said astronaut Zhang Hongzhang.
"Heaven and earth share the same age, the whole nation celebrates together. Happy New Year!" said the Shenzhou-21 trio in China's Space Station.
"In 2026, we will continue to work hard, blaze new trails in a pioneering spirit, and write a new chapter of the times for understanding, protecting and utilizing polar regions. In the new year, China's 42nd Antarctic scientific expedition team aboard the icebreaker Xuelong wishes all people across our country a happy new year, and wishes our great motherland prosperity and strength," said the expedition team aboard the icebreaker Xuelong.
"Sailing on the vast expanse of deep blue sea, our hearts are devoted to our magnificent homeland. The lights along the maritime border never go out, and we ride the wind and waves to safeguard peace and harmony. We remain true to our mission and worthy of the nation's trust. Setting sail in pursuit of our dreams and cleaving through the waves, the entire crew of the Fujian aircraft carrier wishes our great motherland prosperity and strength, and wishes the people across our country a happy new year," said the sailors aboard the Fujian aircraft carrier.
The gala was aired simultaneously across CMG platforms, including CCTV-1, CCTV-3, major radio channels and new media platforms.
Chinese astronauts, expedition team, sailors send New Year wishes through CMG gala
The recent 2026 Zhongguancun Forum (ZGC Forum) Annual Conference in Beijing has impressed international guests with its focus on deeper integration of technological and industrial innovation, highlighting how China's innovative advances are reshaping daily life.
The five-day forum, themed "Full Integration Between Technological and Industrial Innovation," wrapped up in Chinese capital on Sunday after bringing together more than 1,000 participants from over 100 countries and regions around the world.
More than 560 cutting-edge achievements were unveiled at the event, ranging from embodied intelligent robots and brain-computer interfaces to breakthroughs in quantum applications and 6G research and development.
The venue for the forum also showcased a number of these innovative creations to visitors, who were able to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee prepared by a humanoid barista, as well as be throughly entertained by robots performing dances or even playing piano.
Given the presence of these advanced humanoid robots, international participants shared the common view that innovation is no longer confined to laboratories but is now permeating every aspect of daily life.
"The deepest impression is actually to see how much AI is across everywhere," said Anders Karlsson, vice president of Elsevier, a global leader providing advanced information and decision support to accelerate progress in science and healthcare worldwide.
"The Zhongguancun Forum has become a very international window on innovation. We can find out annually how innovation is driving [and a key] component of growth of this wonderful country," said Vincenzo Lipardi, president and co-founder of SPICI, an Italian company assisting businesses and startups with strategic consulting services.
"As a scientist and as a worker of the United Nations system, I'm really pleased to see integration of science, technology and sustainability," said Shahbaz Khan, director of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia.
One of the forum's key themes was around opening up and striving for greater cooperation, which demonstrated to the wider world that China's innovation aims to break down barriers and share opportunities, so as to enable the global community to advance together.
"It's my first time attending the forum. And I'm very surprised that you have a very high level of innovation. China is open to ideas. Openness is the way to make innovations," said Prof. Hussein Sherief, a member of the International Committee for Scientific and Technical Data (CODATA).
Int'l guests hail integration of technology, innovation at Beijing forum
