Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) Antonio Guterres has used the occasion of the 2026 Chinese New Year to call for renewed global unity, cooperation and resolve, as the world confronts conflict, inequality and the climate crisis.
Guterres first extended greetings to all people celebrating the Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, in a video message released on the UN's official website on Monday.
The Spring Festival of 2026 will usher in the Year of the Horse, the seventh animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac.
The UN chief highlighted the symbolic meaning of the animal in his message.
"As we welcome the Year of the Horse, we celebrate a symbol of energy, success, and the courage to forge ahead -- qualities our world urgently needs as we confront conflict, inequality, and the climate crisis," Guterres said.
"This season of renewal reminds us that, together, we can build a safer, more inclusive future. Let us continue to advance our shared commitment to peace, dignity, and sustainable development for all," he continued.
The Spring Festival falls on Feb 17 this year.
UN chief calls for global unity in Chinese New Year message
China Media Group's 2026 Spring Festival Gala promo recently lit up a giant screen in downtown Skopje, marking the gala's first-ever appearance in North Macedonia and drawing crowds of curious locals and overseas Chinese.
The Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, is the most important traditional holiday for Chinese people, and the gala's live broadcast on the eve of the festival has become a cherished part of the celebrations in hundreds of millions of homes.
On February 6, the promo captivated audiences in Skopje's city center, where its vibrant colors and festive music captured the spirit of the holiday and drew passersby to stop and watch.
"The promotion and the gala seems like a really interesting event, which I would love to attend one day, hopefully in the future, which I believe showcases the most beautiful parts of Chinese culture," said a local student named Blindit Aranishi.
At the Chinese Embassy's Spring Festival reception in North Macedonia that same day, guests were treated to a screening of the gala's promotional video along with highlights from the "Travel China Through Film" series.
"The promotion and the gala seems like a really interesting event, which I would love to attend one day, hopefully in the future, which I believe showcases the most beautiful parts of Chinese culture," said Jiang Xiaoyan, Chinese ambassador to North Macedonia.
"It's really breathtaking. The talents that we see from Chinese actors and singers and painters are remarkable. So of course, it will bring lots of joy to people watching the gala and also I am very happy that this joy was shared with the people of North Macedonia," said Rita Columbia, United Nations Resident Coordinator in North Macedonia.
The Spring Festival falls on Feb 17 this year, marking the start of the Chinese New Year. This year ushers in the Year of the Horse, the seventh animal in the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle.
2026 Spring Festival Gala promo debuts in North Macedonia
