CMG Spring Festival Gala promo lights up cultural event in Cape Town

The promotional video for China Media Group (CMG)'s 2026 Spring Festival Gala was prominently featured at a cultural event held on Sunday in Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa.

Held by the Cape Town Chinese community, the Chinese New Year 2026 celebration event was staged at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, presenting local audiences and foreign visitors with a rich cultural feast infused with a Spring Festival atmosphere.

The event also features a looped screening of the promotional video of CMG's 2026 Spring Festival Gala, China's most anticipated televised celebration of the Chinese New Year. The video artfully blended traditional Chinese New Year customs with modern visual aesthetics, enhancing the celebratory atmosphere and providing a rich auditory and visual experience that highlighted the unique charm and cultural depth of the Chinese New Year.

This year's Spring Festival Gala is set to deliver a mesmerizing spectacle on Chinese New Year's Eve on February 16, marking a cherished occasion for families to gather and celebrate the most important festival in the traditional Chinese calendar.

Among the attendees of the celebration event were Chinese Consul General in Cape Town Ren Faqiang and officials from the Western Cape Province and the City of Cape Town. Geordin Hill-Lewis, Mayor of Cape Town, sent his greetings via video messages.

In his speech, Ren remarked on the significance of the Spring Festival in Chinese culture, especially in the Year of the Horse, which symbolizes wisdom and courage. He expressed hopes for strengthened bilateral relations between China and South Africa.

The festivities kicked off with a stunning dragon dance performance by the Cape Town Huaxing Arts Troupe. Traditional Chinese dances were beautifully complemented by South African Zulu dances, illustrating the harmonious blend of diverse cultures.

The audience, consisting of thousands of local residents and international tourists, erupted in applause for the youth martial arts performance and the dazzling technique of face-changing, or Bian Lian, of Sichuan Opera that followed.

The event's cultural experience section drew crowds, offering activities such as Hanfu (a type of traditional Chinese clothing) trying, lacquer fan making and an array of Chinese culinary delights. Visitors were able to indulge in the festive atmosphere reminiscent of a traditional Chinese temple fair.

Furthermore, creative products like the silk scarves featuring elements of the Year of the Horse produced by CMG, China's flagship broadcaster, also attracted the attention of many visitors.

This year's Spring Festival falls on February 17.

CMG Spring Festival Gala promo lights up cultural event in Cape Town

China attaches great importance to the development of China-Singapore relations, and is willing to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, promote practical cooperation in various fields, and enhance people-to-people exchanges with Singapore, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when holding talks with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan in Beijing.

Noting that over the past year, under the strategic guidance of leaders of the two countries and joint efforts of both sides, the all-round high-quality and future-oriented partnership between China and Singapore has maintained a good momentum, Wang urged the two countries to continue to enhance strategic communication, increase mutual trust, jointly address the ever-emerging global challenges at present, and safeguard the overall situation of regional peace and stability.

Wang said that maintaining the security of global industrial and supply chains and the smooth flow of maritime navigation is in the common interests of the international community, and China is willing to continue to make efforts to this end.

Noting that Singapore is an important ASEAN member and will assume ASEAN's rotating presidency next year, Wang said China expects the Singaporean side to continue playing an active role in promoting China-ASEAN cooperation.

Balakrishnan said Singapore highly values its relations with China, adheres to the one-China policy, and firmly opposes "Taiwan independence."

Singapore is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges with China, promote practical cooperation in various fields, carry out key cooperation projects of both sides, and promote regional connectivity, he said.

Singapore is ready to promote greater progress in ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership, support the Global Development Initiative, and uphold multilateralism and free trade, and is willing to work with China to make joint efforts in promoting world peace, development and prosperity, he added.

China ready to promote practical cooperation with Singapore: Chinese FM