Chinese embassy in US hosts youth Spring Festival gala

The Chinese Embassy in the United States on Saturday hosted a China-U.S. Youth Spring Festival Gala, bringing together more than 500 young people to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year with a series of cultural activities.

The event in Washington, D.C., brought together young people from both the U.S. and China and featured a whole host of traditional performances and Chinese customs to mark the upcoming Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, which this year lands on Feb 17, ushering in the Year of the Horse.

Attendees were able to explore the items on display at stalls set up in the style of a classic temple fair, try their hand at paper-cutting, admire the works of the age-old Suzhou embroidery technique, or even take part in a game of the traditional Touhu, or pitch-pot, an archery-like activity involving throwing arrows into a pot.

Chinese ambassador to the United States Xie Feng also invited U.S. students to join him in making glutinous rice balls, or Tang Yuan, a specialty served up during the Spring Festival period which symbolizes family reunions.

The gathering also invited American teachers and students who had previously visited or studied in China to share their experiences and stories from their travels in the country.

Among those present was William, a student who attended the Cascade Elementary School in Orem, Utah. He shared how he and his classmates received a reply letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping after they had sent New Year greetings to Xi several years ago.

William said this unexpected reply from the Chinese president has greatly inspired him and enhanced his commitment to fostering more communication with Chinese students.

"Receiving that reply from him, it made me realize and want to work with Chinese people more and make that connection even stronger," said William.

The event also saw promotional reels being played for a media project dubbed "China Travel with Chinese Films" as well as a preview for the China Media Group's 2026 Spring Festival Gala -- an hours-long variety show broadcast on Chinese New Year's Eve each year -- further immersing audience members and attendees in the festive spirit.

Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi paid a visit to a section of the Great Wall in Beijing on Monday as part of his ongoing state visit to China.

Orsi arrived in the Chinese capital on Sunday to begin a week-long state visit at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Video footage shot by the CCTV Video News Agency showed Orsi posing for photos with tourists while climbing a stretch of the Great Wall on Monday morning.

The Uruguayan president later visited another Beijing landmark when he stopped by the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, on the same day.

Orsi held talks with President Xi in the Great Hall of the People on Tuesday, with the two countries vowing to deepen bilateral cooperation in various fields.