CGTN's "All Things Horses" challenge sparks wave of creativity among Chinese artists

As the Year of the Horse draws near, artists across China are bringing the beloved zodiac symbol to life through time-honored crafts and contemporary expression, offering a vivid tribute to the courage, hope and heritage that the animal represents.

Since China Global Television Network (CGTN) launched its "All Things Horses" challenge, creative entries have been flowing in from home and aboard, transforming the horse from a simple zodiac sign into a universal emblem of strength, progress, and human imagination.

In Luoyang, central China's Henan Province, the ancient art of Sancai, or tri-colored glazed pottery, is galloping into the new year. Under the skilled hands of Guo Aihe, director of the Luoyang Sancai Art Museum, a ceramic horse took shape stroke by stroke on a plate, its flowing glaze conjuring the image of a steed striding through clouds and mountains.

His colleague, deputy director Guo Jiaqi, demonstrated how a vibrant red-glazed Sancai horse comes to life through meticulous craftsmanship.

Elsewhere, painter Zhu Changqi captured the equine spirit with expressive ink wash paintings. Through fluid, layered brushstrokes, he conveyed both the grace and the restless energy of these animals, inviting viewers to feel their galloping soul.

In the blessings associated with the Year of the Horse, the phrase "taking the lead" represents not just speed and precedence, but also the courage to innovate and forge ahead in changing times.

Artist Zhang Yang has been devoted to painting horses since his youth. Through frequent sketching trips to Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang and other regions, Zhang has created a vast collection of horse-themed artworks.

His painting "Taking the Lead" features a powerful black horse galloping freely across the grasslands, leading a herd toward their shared destination. This piece not only embodies the strength and speed of the horse but also serves as a metaphor for those who boldly forge ahead and drive progress forward.

CGTN's "All Things Horses" challenge sparks wave of creativity among Chinese artists

An article by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on following the path of financial development with Chinese characteristics and boosting China's strength in finance was published on Sunday.

The article by Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, was published in this year's third issue of the Qiushi Journal, a flagship magazine of the CPC Central Committee.

China's financial development with Chinese characteristics not only follows the path of the development of modern finance, but also has distinctive features that suit China's national conditions, which is different from the Western financial development model, according to the article.

It notes that a financially robust country should be based on a strong economic foundation, possessing world-leading economic, scientific, technological and overall national strength.

The country should also have a series of key core financial elements, such as a strong currency and central bank, robust financial institutions and international financial centers, solid financial supervision, and a high-caliber team of financial talent, the article says.

To strengthen China's financial capabilities, it is essential to accelerate the building of a modern financial system with Chinese characteristics, the article says. It urges efforts to establish and improve a scientific and prudent financial regulation system, a reasonably structured financial market system, a financial institution system with division of tasks and collaboration, a complete and effective financial oversight system, a diversified and professional financial goods and services system, and an independent, controllable, safe and efficient financial infrastructure system.

Xi's article on boosting China's financial strength published