China Media Group aired a special program on Friday evening to mark the Duanwu Festival, in which renowned baritone Liao Changyong delivered a stirring performance, highlighting China's development achievements and the prosperous, peaceful lives of its people.
The musical performance was paired with striking visuals showcasing China's technological advancements, rural revitalization efforts, and continuous improvements in people's livelihoods over the past decades.
Broadcast on CMG's multiple platforms and featuring short documentaries, the special program had four main parts which were inspired by the four customary sequences of the dragon boat festival: Qi Long (dragon awakening), Zhao Jing (villages exchanging invitations for gathering of dragon boats), dragon boat racing, and returning to the shore.
Celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, the Duanwu Festival, also known as the Dragon Boat Festival, fell on Friday this year. It is a time to get rid of misfortune as venomous animals and insects were believed to appear at this time of year. It is also a time to commemorate the beloved Chinese poet Qu Yuan (339-278 BC) from the Warring States Period (475-221 BC). Activities such as dragon boat races and eating Zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) have been passed down as traditional customs to celebrate the festival.
CMG's Duanwu Festival special program showcases China's peace, prosperity
Some Iranian citizens are skeptical about the prospects for a lasting peace agreement, after the United States and Iran agreed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that ended more than 100 days of conflict between the two countries.
Iran, the United States and Pakistan early Monday announced the finalization of the MoU on ending the war in the region on all fronts, including Lebanon. The agreement was signed early Thursday by the Iranian president and his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Thursday at a White House briefing that the MoU triggered a 60-day negotiating period that began on Thursday and is due to expire on Aug 17.
On the streets of Tehran, residents expressed mixed reactions towards the MoU, with some voicing wariness based on past experience with negotiations.
"If an agreement is reached and it serves the interests of our country, we support it. However, during the previous two rounds of negotiations we were attacked, and officials must be cautious and take the interests of the Iranian people into account in these talks and agreements, so that they lead to economic prosperity and improved conditions," said Alireza, a Tehran resident.
"We are not at all optimistic about Mr. Trump. During the negotiations, we were attacked twice. I think this time will be the same as before," said Aziz, another Tehran resident.
On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the region.
Tehran residents express skepticism following signing of Iran-US MoU
