Chinese New Year parade goes through Champs-Elysees in Paris

A Spring Festival parade was held on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris, France on Sunday to greet the Chinese Year of the Horse, blending ancient tradition with futuristic flair on one of the world's most famous avenues.

The parade featured dragon and lion dances, Yingge dance from the Chaoshan region of south China's Guangdong Province, Yangge dance from northeast China, and a display of traditional Chinese attires, filling the avenue with New Year vibes.

Organizers said about 100,000 residents and tourists gathered along the Champs-Elysees to watch the 2026 Chinese New Year parade, filling the avenue with a Spring Festival atmosphere.

"Each place in China has its traditional attire. These are traditional clothing from Guizhou. My wife is also in the parade. I take part in the event because I often go to Chin and like the country very much. For me, China is a pleasant country," said Philippe, a French performer in the parade.

"We came just for the afternoon, just to see that. And it was wonderful because we get to see parts of, every bit of Chinese culture, and little bits of everything. So, it was really nice," said Marie, a French tourist.

The event, co-organized by the Champs-Elysees Committee and the China National Tourist Office in Paris, highlighted growing cultural exchanges between China and France, combining time-honored customs with contemporary creativity.

One of the most talked-about features of the parade was a humanoid robot invented by a Chinese company and supplied by French technology firm INNOV8 Group, adding a light-hearted technological twist to the festivities.

The robot, walking steadily at the head of a parade of performers, turned, paused and waved to spectators in time with the music, prompting cheers among the crowds. Many spectators could not help raising their cell phones to take photos.

"And that's clear that we want to have more people, more tourists to Champs-Elysees. We are very pleased to welcome our Chinese friends. There are many Chinese investments on the avenue. Please, if you want to go, don't hesitate. Take a plane, come to Paris, and we will be very happy to see you on the Champs-Elysees," said Marc-Antoine Jamet, chairman of the Champs-Elysees Committee.

Chinese New Year parade goes through Champs-Elysees in Paris

Chinese New Year parade goes through Champs-Elysees in Paris

Chinese President Xi Jinping awarded Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic the Friendship Medal of the People's Republic of China in Beijing on Monday.

As solemn music played and the golden doors slowly opened, Xi and Vucic entered the hall together, followed by Xi's wife Peng Liyuan and Vucic's wife Tamara Vucic.

Applauding guests rose to their feet, and paid respect to the two heads of state.

A Guard of Honor escorted the Friendship Medal into the hall, and amid solemn music, Xi formally presented the medal to Vucic.

Xi highlighted Vucic's long-standing commitment to advancing China-Serbia friendship and underscored the significance of the honor.

"President Vucic has long stayed committed to China-Serbia friendship, and he has always given China the firmest and clearest support on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns. He gains the respect from the Chinese people. This medal is not only a high recognition of President Vucic's contributions to bilateral friendship, but also carries the earnest expectations of both peoples for building a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era," Xi said.

The Friendship Medal is China's highest state honor for foreigners, reserved for those who have made outstanding contributions to China's modernization drive, promoting exchange and cooperation between China and the world, and safeguarding world peace.

At the invitation of Xi, Vucic is on a state visit to China from Sunday to Thursday, with this marking his first state visit to China and his ninth trip to the country overall.

Xi awards Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic China's friendship medal