A promotional video for the China Media Group (CMG)'s 2026 Spring Festival Gala took center stage at the Chinese New Year reception hosted by the Chinese embassy in Kazakhstan's capital Astana on Wednesday.
The event, themed around welcoming the Chinese New Year, was attended by approximately 600 people, including Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Han Chunlin, Kazakhstan's Vice Minister of Culture and Information Aibek Sydykov, diplomats from various countries stationed in Kazakhstan, representatives of Chinese-funded institutions operating in Kazakhstan, as well as members of the local Chinese community.
In his speech delivered at the event, Han praised the fruitful bilateral permanent comprehensive strategic partnership over the past year, highlighting advancements in mutual political trust, pragmatic cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges.
"The year 2025 was a fruitful year. Under the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, China-Kazakhstan relations have achieved significant progress, with the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries continuously enhancing in quality and level," Han said.
Looking forward, China stands ready to work with Kazakhstan to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen the alignment of the two countries' development strategies, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, promote mutual understanding between the two peoples, and jointly make new contributions to maintaining regional stability and development, he added.
Kazakhstan's Vice Minister of Culture and Information Aibek Sydykov said that the Spring Festival symbolizes renewal, peace, and hopeful prospects.
He said it is a festival that brings families together and carries forward traditions across generations, embodying profound values of respect, harmony, and the pursuit of prosperity -- values that resonate deeply with people around the world.
Sydykov said that through intensive and productive high-level political dialogue, the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and China has reached an unprecedented level of depth and mutual trust.
"On this important festival, I extend my greetings on behalf of the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan. Many countries celebrate the Spring Festival in their own unique ways, and this holiday holds a very special significance. I wish everyone a happy New Year!" said Sydykov.
The promotional video of the CMG's 2026 Spring Festival Gala for the Year of the Horse was played on repeat during the event, showcasing traditional Chinese New Year's cultural elements and the appeal of the CMG Gala.
It was well received by attendees from various sectors in Kazakhstan. Many guests said that the stage design and high-tech elements of the gala were stunning, reflecting the standards of a world-class media organization.
Temerlan Makubayev, leader of the Earth Ambassadors Movement project in Kazakhstan, said that screening the CMG Spring Festival Gala in Kazakhstan is highly meaningful.
"I will definitely watch the CMG Spring Festival Gala and encourage young people to do the same. Kazakhstan and China are strategic partners, with China being one of Kazakhstan's most important strategic partners since its independence. Economic and trade exchanges between our two countries are growing rapidly, fostering close ties, and cooperation across various fields are constantly deepening," he said.
The event also featured vibrant cultural performances showcasing Chinese and Kazakh ethnic traditions, including the magical face-changing in Sichuan Opera, lion dances, traditional Kazakh dombra performances, and folk dances.
Held alongside the reception was also a tourism promotion event, where attendees viewed an exhibition of images highlighting Chinese tourist attractions and enjoyed Chinese culinary specialties including Beijing roast duck.
According to organizers, the international edition of the CMG Spring Festival Gala will be broadcast for the third consecutive year on Atameken Business Channel -- Kazakhstan's mainstream television channel -- during the prime viewing time from 18:00 local time on February 20.
CMG 2026 Spring Festival Gala promo video screened at Chinese embassy in Kazakhstan
