The China Media Group (CMG), the country's flagship broadcaster, successfully conducted the fourth rehearsal of the highly-anticipated Spring Festival Gala on Sunday.
The gala, set to be aired on Chinese New Year's Eve on February 16 this year, will combine traditional Chinese culture with modern stagecraft, as well as cross-cultural performances featuring international artists.
Commonly known as "Chunwan" in Chinese, the gala has been broadcast live on each Chinese New Year's Eve since 1983, and has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the most-watched annual television program on the planet.
Just over a year ago, the Spring Festival itself was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
This year, CMG has hosted a series of preview events in the United States, Russia, France, Italy, and several African countries, inviting international audience to experience the gala and Chinese culture ahead of the Chinese New Year.
CMG holds 4th rehearsal for 2026 Spring Festival Gala
CMG holds 4th rehearsal for 2026 Spring Festival Gala
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday called on the international community to promote dialogue among the parties involved in the conflict in the Middle East.
Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a phone conversation with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty at the latter's request.
Abdelatty briefed Wang on his views on the development of the regional situation. Expressing that the Egyptian side is deeply concerned about the current situation, he said that if energy and power facilities are attacked and paralyzed, it will lead to chaos throughout the region.
To cool down the situation, Egypt is communicating with all parties and actively promoting negotiations, he said.
Noting that Egypt and China are comprehensive strategic partners, Abdelatty said that Egypt is willing to maintain close coordination with China and jointly enhance diplomatic efforts to prevent the region and the world from falling further into turmoil.
For his part, Wang said that both China and Egypt are responsible countries that both oppose military operations without authorization from the UN Security Council, oppose attacks on civilians and civilian facilities, and do not approve of the conflict spreading to the Gulf countries.
The situation in the Middle East is changing rapidly, Wang said, pointing out that both the United States and Iran are signaling their readiness to negotiate. A glimmer of hope for peace has emerged, he said.
If this war continues, it will only bring more casualties and unnecessary losses, leading to further spillover of the situation, Wang said.
Stressing that as long as there is dialogue, there is hope for peace, Wang said that the actions of the Security Council should help ease the situation and promote dialogue, and help prevent the expansion of the war instead of giving a pass to the use of force.
Noting that China supports Egypt in continuing to play a mediating role in promoting the resumption of peace talks and the cessation of the war, Wang said that China is also willing to continue with its constructive efforts to this end.
Chinese FM calls on world to promote dialogue among parties to Mideast conflict
