2026 Spring Festival Gala runs second rehearsal

The China Media Group (CMG) on Sunday wrapped up the second rehearsal of its 2026 Spring Festival Gala, bringing the highly anticipated cultural event one step closer to its global broadcast next month.

Production teams said the rehearsal went smoothly, with each performance carefully polished to reflect the joy and union that define Chinese New Year celebrations.

Behind the scenes, creators are still adjusting choreography, enhancing visuals, and fine-tuning every detail to deliver what is envisioned as a genuine "People's Gala,"-- one that feels grounded, emotional, and authentic to everyday life.

As the Year of the Horse draws near, the Gala continues to evolve, embracing cutting-edge technology while staying true to warm, time-honored traditions.

Commonly known as "Chunwan" in Chinese, the Gala has been broadcast live each Chinese New Year's Eve since 1983, and is widely seen as a major cultural symbol of the festival. This year's edition will air on February 16.

The death toll in the war-torn Gaza Strip has risen to 71,657 since the conflict between Hamas and Israel erupted on Oct 7, 2023, with the number of injuries reaching 171,399, Gaza's health authorities said on Sunday.

In the past 24 hours, hospitals in Gaza received three more bodies, in addition to 18 new injuries, the authorities said.

Since the ceasefire agreement took effect on Oct 11, 2025, Israeli attacks have killed 484 people and wounded 1,321 others, according to the Gaza health authorities.