Global viewers have given their enthusiastic reactions after joining various watch parties which screened the China Media Group (CMG)'s 2026 Spring Festival Gala, an hours-long television extravaganza which ushered in the Year of the Horse after midnight on Tuesday.
The Spring Festival Gala, also known as "Chunwan," is a cherished part of the celebrations ringing in the Chinese New Year each year and was again broadcast live from Beijing and several sub-venues across China, offering a more than four-hour-long feast of captivating cultural performances and entertaining variety acts.
Overseas Chinese communities, employees of Chinese enterprises abroad, and international friends tuned in to the live broadcast from around the world, with many hailing this year's gala for its cultural diversity and the use of cutting-edge technologies to enhance the show.
On the Chinese New Year's Eve on Monday, a strong festive spirit filled the offices of CHN Energy's Europe Research Institute in Berlin, Germany, where both Chinese and German employees celebrated together by hanging up traditional spring couplets on the doorways, making dumplings, and sitting down to watch the Spring Festival Gala.
"What impressed me most about this year's gala is how advanced technology was presented in such an artistic and visually way. As someone working in science and technology, I saw China's remarkable advancements in digital technologies, intelligent manufacturing, and audiovisual engineering from the stage effects," said Qu Ruiyang, the research institute's technical director.
Meanwhile, in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires, a local Chinese import-export company organized a special gathering for people to watch the gala unfold. Both Chinese and local staff, along with their families, joyfully experienced the atmosphere of the Chinese New Year.
Many picked out a dramatic martial arts performance by a group of humanoid robots as being their personal highlight.
"This year's gala was full of creativity. In the martial arts program 'Wu BOT', AI robots performed alongside martial arts students. The combination of technology with traditional arts was truly eye-opening," said Chen Mulan, an overseas Chinese living in Argentina.
The 2026 CMG Spring Festival Gala stood out for its blending of cultural heritage with modern innovations, earning unanimous praise from both Chinese and international viewers. This year also saw the appearance of more global stars including U.S. singers Lionel Richie and John Legend, and the Irish pop group Westlife.
"Each year, more international artists participate in the gala. The Spring Festival has become a globally celebrated event," said Martin Burter, research project coordinator at CHN Energy's Europe Research Institute.
"I absolutely loved the performances. Every aspect was memorable. My favorite was the dance 'Ancient Rhythm of the Silk Road'. The costumes were unbelievably beautiful. Chinese culture is astonishing in all aspects. It's really wonderful and the whole thing is very impressive," said an Argentine viewer.
"I'm so excited. I wanted to experience the Chinese culture and I already feel so good about it. I've been able to watch the music [performances], I have been able to see the various skits, so I feel good and happy that I came," said South African student Benta Moigej after watching a special gala screening in a cinema in Cape Town.
Since first being broadcast in 1983, the Spring Festival Gala has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the most-watched annual television program on the planet.
Global viewers hail tech innovations showcased in China's Spring Festival Gala
