Cultural event for promoting CMG 2026 Spring Festival Gala held at African Union headquarters

A cultural event for promoting the 2026 Spring Festival Gala of China Media Group (CMG) was held on Friday at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, bringing together nearly 400 representatives from across the continent.

"Prelude to the Spring Festival Gala - The World Watches the CMG Gala Together" event was jointly held by the CMG, the African Union Commission and China's mission to the African Union. It is part of China's effort to share Spring Festival traditions and deepen cultural exchanges with Africa.

The Spring Festival is in the start of the Chinese New Year, which begins on Feb 17 this year. The Spring Festival is the most important holiday in China, celebrated with family reunions and wishes for good luck in the coming year. This year's Spring Festival marks the beginning of a Year of the Horse -- the seventh of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.

Watching the Spring Festival Gala on television is a cherished part of the celebrations in hundreds of millions of Chinese homes. The gala will be broadcast live around the world on the Chinese New Year's Eve on Feb 16.

To mark the cultural event at the African Union headquarters, Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf sent a congratulatory message, while Shen Haixiong, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and president of CMG, delivered a video address.

Senior AU officials, diplomats from African countries, representatives from local cultural institutions, media, Chinese enterprises and students attended the event.

The event featured screenings of the CMG's 2026 Spring Festival Gala promotional video and the promotional video of the "China Travel with Chinese Films" campaign.

Chinese animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" made its debut at the African Union headquarters, winning praise for its visual effects and cultural themes.

At the event, Ethiopian performers presented Chinese songs and dances, while guests sampled traditional Chinese New Year food and explored the CMG's cultural products.

"There is excitement of joyful cultural activities, and the color they use and the performance are so good, so I expect a lot good things from this gala," said Mohalit, a participant.

Reports of the cultural event were carried by mainstream and digital media outlets in countries including Ethiopia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Zambia, with an estimated audience reach of more than 600 million.

Cultural event for promoting CMG 2026 Spring Festival Gala held at African Union headquarters

A protest in Tokyo on Saturday highlighted growing public concern over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on China's Taiwan region and the government's plans to expand its military.

In early November 2025, Takaichi said a "Taiwan contingency" could constitute what she called a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, remarks that many critics say reflect nostalgia for Japan's colonial past and an attempt to weaponize the Taiwan issue against China.

Protesters distributed flyers and held up signs denouncing Takaichi's remarks and policies.

"The Japanese government has already acknowledged that Taiwan is part of China, so I can't help but wonder why the current prime minister would make such remarks. We truly hope there will be no more statements like this. Takaichi should either retract her words or just resign. Her comments have triggered a serious crisis, and she must take full responsibility," one protester said.

"There is widespread anger toward Takaichi within Japan. If the government truly prioritizes people's livelihoods, it must pursue responsible diplomacy, reject any provocation of war and uphold the pacifist constitution. This is what matters most," another demonstrator said.

"It is an interference in China's internal affairs. She must immediately and sincerely apologize for her remarks," said another participant in the rally.

Protesters also said Takaichi's aggressive actions since taking office, including intending to revise three national security documents, easing restrictions on arms exports and planning to increase the defence budget, are dangerous, particularly given Japan's failure to fully reckon with its World War II history.

"Japan's military buildup is dangerous. Eight decades have passed since the war ended, yet the country still hasn't fully reflected on or accounted for its wartime past," a protester said.

Protesters rally in Tokyo over PM Takaichi's Taiwan remarks, military expansion plans