CMG launches Spring Festival Gala promo event in New Zealand to boost cultural exchange

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

Some Japanese people said on Thursday that the government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi must firmly uphold the pacifist constitution.

Their remarks came after French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Japan from Tuesday to Thursday.

Attending a joint press conference with Takaichi on Wednesday, Macron emphasized that France and Japan have agreed on the importance of on the importance of quickly de-escalating the conflict in the Middle East and upholding international law.

Many saw this as a response to a strongly worded post by U.S. President Donald Trump on social media, which criticized France for refusing to cooperate with the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Some locals in Tokyo expressed their opposition to Japan's involvement in any war, but said Japan could offer help when the conflict in the Middle East ends.

"I think that Prime Minister Takaichi could offer support, provided that we wouldn't get involved in an armed conflict, such as minesweeping operations at sea, as Japan has the best minesweeping technology in the world," said a resident in Tokyo.

"I'm not entirely sure what consequences will follow Trump's demands. There may be additional tariffs, among other things. Our constitution prohibits [Japan's] from getting involved in war, and Prime Minister Takaichi should uphold this principle," said another resident.

Tokyo residents urge PM Takaichi to uphold pacifist constitution