The China Media Group (CMG) launched a promotional event for the 2026 Spring Festival Gala in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday.
The "Prelude to the Spring Festival Gala -- The World Watches the CMG Gala Together" event gathered 200 guests from China and New Zealand to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year and experience the traditional Chinese culture.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, former Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament and Honorary Chairman of the New Zealand-China Friendship Society David Carter, and representatives from Tourism New Zealand were among the attendees. The gathering featured cultural performances that highlighted the mutual appreciation between Chinese and New Zealand arts, as well as the exhibition and sale of the Year of the Horse cultural and creative products and an experience activity of Mamianqun, or horse-face skirt.
The CMG has held the "Prelude to the Spring Festival Gala" event for three years in a row.
The Spring Festival Gala, also known as "Chunwan" in Chinese, has been a major cultural symbol for the Chinese New Year celebrations in China since its debut in 1983, and has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the most-watched annual television program on the planet.
The gala, set to be aired on the Chinese New Year's Eve on Feb 16 this year, will combine traditional Chinese culture with modern stagecraft, as well as cross-cultural performances featuring international artists.
CMG launches Spring Festival Gala promo event in New Zealand to boost cultural exchange
China launched the second event of its 2026 "Big Market for All: Export to China" campaign in Hangzhou City of east China's Zhejiang on Sunday, as part of the country's broader push to expand imports and tap the purchasing power of its vast consumer market.
The three-day event, co-hosted by China's Ministry of Commerce and the People's Government of Zhejiang Province, is bringing together global brands, importers and consumers under one roof.
Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao attended the launch ceremony of the event and delivered an address.
More than 1,000 imported products are on display, from food and consumer goods to advanced industrial components.
The campaign aims to turn China's massive market into a gateway for global products, according to officials.
"The event highlights China's determination to independently expand unilateral and self-reliant opening-up. It is also China's active response to the needs of its global trading partners and our practical step to work together with them to grow the pie of international trade," said Xiao Lu, deputy director of the Department of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Commerce.
Nearly 100 import-focused companies are taking part, showcasing products and exploring opportunities in China's fast-growing consumer market.
"We have selected popular product choices favored by Chinese tourists who have visited Egypt," said Cao Kezhen, chief representative for China at the CHIMENA (China-India-Middle East-North Africa) Business Council.
Starting from May 1, 2026, China will fully implement zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China, so many Egyptian businesses are eager to explore the Chinese market, Cao said.
New technologies are also helping bring overseas products closer to Chinese consumers.
"In recent years, China has introduced a range of policies to encourage imports. These measures allow Chinese consumers to buy quality products from around the world at competitive prices through cross-border e-commerce. Going forward, we plan to shift more focus onto the development of a digital supply chain from the traditional supply chain, customs declaration and inspection, logistics, warehousing and distribution," said Shan Li, chairman of High Store Tech, a supply chain service provider for global brands.
Sunday's event followed the inaugural gathering, which took place under the same theme in the national capital Beijing in February.
China launches event in Hangzhou to expand imports, boost consumption
