China Media Group (CMG) on Sunday evening staged a spectacular Spring Festival light show on Dubai's iconic Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, to welcome the upcoming Year of the Horse.
The Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 17 this year, marks the start of the Chinese New Year. This year ushers in the Year of the Horse, the seventh of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.
As night descended on the city, the show opened with galloping horses racing across the tower's facade, extending wishes of success and good fortune for the year ahead.
Then, images of the Chinese peony and the United Arab Emirates' date palm intertwined, forming a striking symbol of shared prosperity and cultural harmony between China and the Arab world.
The Chinese character for "Spring" appeared on the tower, surrounded by peach blossoms. Scenes of a family reunion dinner, symbolizing togetherness, gave way to a dynamic dragon dance, representing good fortune and strength.
The segment culminated with children from both China and the UAE gazing up at a dazzling firework display, a universal symbol of hope for the future.
"I'm thrilled. It's my first time to celebrate the Spring Festival in Dubai. Standing beneath the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in Dubai, I was incredibly excited to see CMG's Spring Festival greetings to loved ones back home. I recorded the whole thing on my phone," said Tian Hui, Chinese visitor.
"This year is the [Year of the Horse] in China. [Wishing] the best for the people in the [Year of the Horse]. I wish you everything, luck, happiness, joy and so much love," said Carola, another visitor at the scene.
This year marks the seventh consecutive year of CMG's collaboration with Dubai's Emaar Group to showcase a Chinese New Year-themed light show on the Burj Khalifa.
This dazzling display will also be staged on Monday, the eve of the Chinese New Year, to extend warm greetings and heartfelt blessings to the world.
CMG light show illuminates Dubai's iconic building to celebrate Spring Festival
As the Spring Festival approaches, leaders of international organizations and global political figures have extended warm wishes to the Chinese people, expressing hopes for happiness and prosperity in the Year of the Horse.
Falling on Tuesday this year, the Spring Festival marks the start of the Chinese New Year and ushers in the Year of the Horse, the seventh animal in the Chinese zodiac.
Drawing on the symbolism of the horse, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon shared optimism about making strides together in the year ahead.
"On the occasion of the Chinese Spring Festival of the Year of the Horse, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes to President Xi Jinping. The Year of the Horse embodies fervent strength and an enterprising spirit. I wish the great and friendly Chinese people peace, tranquility and continued progress in the year ahead," he said.
Meanwhile, a Chinese New Year celebration themed "Galloping Forward with the United Nations" was held at the UN Headquarters on Feb 9, gathering representatives to the UN from more than 120 countries, and over 500 guests from various sectors in the eastern United States.
"I wish all the most wonderful things for the people of China in the Year of the Horse. And I hope that we all work together towards making this world a better place for everyone," said Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications.
Additionally, the Chinese Embassy in Canada held its Spring Festival reception in Ottawa on Feb 10. More than 200 people attended the event, including Canadian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs David Morrison, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister Kody Blois, Senator Clement Gignac, Member of Parliament Zoe Royer, and representatives of Chinese communities, organizations and students in Canada.
"I want to wish everyone back in China a happy New Year, all the best. And we look forward to our continued bilateral relationship and the warming of relations between our two countries," said Blois.
Meanwhile, a concert marking the Spring Festival was held Thursday in Vientiane, capital of Laos, drawing more than 1,000 people from various sectors.
Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and Lao president, attended the event together with representatives from political, economic and cultural circles.
During the concert, a selection of classic Chinese and Lao musical pieces was performed in turn, showcasing the artistic charm of both countries. The performances were met with warm applause from the audience.
Int'l leaders, political figures extend Spring Festival greetings to Chinese people
