2026 Spring Festival Gala ushers in new era of digital intelligence: chief director

Yu Lei, chief director of the 2026 Spring Festival Gala, has shared how the cutting-edge robots and digital intelligence involved in the gala defined this year's cultural performances and celebrations in the grand event staged and aired live on Monday night -- the eve of the 2026 Chinese New Year.

As various robots took to the stage, the 2026 Spring Festival Gala virtually transformed digital intelligence from a distant concept into a vivid companion for people, reflecting how deeply technology has permeated modern life. In an interview with China Central Television, Yu explained that this year's production was designed to mark a milestone in technological creativity.

"We have robots performing in sketches, martial arts, dances, and even micro-films. As the curtain rises on this year's Spring Festival Gala, there are so many innovations belonging to this era, showing that technology has truly entered our lives. Riding this trend, I hope this year's gala can open a 'Year of Tech Innovation' or a 'Year of Digital Intelligence,'" Yu said.

A key highlight of this digital theme is the song "Intelligent Future" (Zhi Zao Wei Lai), which focuses on the tangible progress experienced by the general public rather than abstract industrial achievements. "We also have the song 'Intelligent Future,' which represents the era of technological innovation and the idea of digital intelligence I wanted to present at this year's Spring Festival Gala. Putting these ideas into a song really shows that technology has truly integrated into people's daily lives. When you listen to the lyrics, you'll find they're all about everyday life. We're not singing about large-scale manufacturing, aerospace, or military industries. Instead, we're singing about the progress of the digital age that ordinary people can experience and connect with in their daily lives," she said.

Beyond the entertainment value, the director emphasized that the gala serves as a platform to make the dimensions of the tech industry clearer and more accessible to the public, potentially driving broader interest in the sector.

"Through different expressions and works in the gala, we wish to make the facets of this industry more vivid and distinct. I believe this is what the audience members are curious about and expect to see. If one of our works can drive the boom of an industry or spark wide-spread attention to a specific field, I believe that is the greatest honor for all creators," Yu added.

The gala, aired on Chinese New Year's Eve on Feb 16 this year, blended traditional Chinese culture with modern stage production, while also including cross-cultural performances by artists from around the world. Commonly known as "Chunwan", the gala has been aired live every Chinese New Year’s Eve since 1983. It has even been certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s most-watched annual TV show.

2026 Spring Festival Gala ushers in new era of digital intelligence: chief director

The international tourists and locals in Dubai, capital of the United Arab Emirates, were amazed by the spectacular martial arts performance delivered by a group of humanoid robots at the 2026 China Media Group (CMG) Spring Festival Gala, which was televised on Monday.

The highly-energetic display saw the versatile robots and young Kung Fu practitioners perform a series of impressive choreographed stunts and synchronized moves in a breathtaking stage segment.

The robots also used traditional Kung Fu weapons such as swords and nunchuks, demonstrating impressive speed, balance, coordination and precision as they executed the pulsating performance in style.

The energetic performance amazed customers at the Dubai Mall, the largest shopping mall in the world, as the landmark was decorated to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

The audience were glued to a giant screen set on the first floor of the shopping mall and kept taking photos of the most breath-taking moments.

"Very impressive that the technology is that far. Robotics can fight like human beings, especially, all these, how to say, getting in balance that fast, making balance," said an Austrian tourist.

Some audience said the whole gala is full of Chinese characteristics.

"We think all the programs, including singing and sketches, are exactly the shows that we, the Chinese people, will love," said Kan Xingshu, an overseas Chinese from the United States.

The locals in the Dubai International City, one of the largest residential areas for Chinese people in the UAE capital, were also impressed by the robot martial arts performance.

The gala, which was presented on Monday afternoon local time through a giant screen set up at the community, attracted a large audience.

"I'm very astonished by this robot show. I couldn't believe it is real, but as we see it's real. It's very genius show," said a member of the audience.

Commonly known as "Chunwan" in Chinese, the gala has been broadcast live every 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.

The Spring Festival is the most important traditional holiday for the Chinese people. It falls on Tuesday this year, ushering in a Year of the Horse -- the seventh of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.

The Spring Festival itself was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2024.

Robot martial arts performance at CMG Spring Festival Gala wows UAE audience