BEIJING, Feb. 16, 2026 — On Monday evening, China Media Group’s 2026 Spring Festival Gala was broadcast on screens across the nation and around the globe. For over four decades, the annual gala – widely known as Chunwan – has served as the spiritual feast for Chinese people on Chinese New Year’s Eve, and a cultural tradition observed during family gatherings.
This year, CGTN collaborated with its multilingual broadcast platforms covering 85 languages, teaming up with over 3,500 media organizations in more than 200 countries and territories to transmit and cover the gala live.
As Chinese New Year continues to transform from a national holiday into a worldwide festivity, the Spring Festival Gala has assumed a renewed purpose: enabling global audiences to partake in the seasonal joy and celebration, and to witness the richness and vitality of Chinese culture.
Steeped in Chinese cultural traditions with diverse celebratory customs, the Spring Festival represents renewal and familial harmony. It holds universal appeal as a symbol of hope and dreams for an improved life.
A cultural feast
The 2026 gala once again presented a magnificent audio-visual extravaganza, featuring a diverse array of acts spanning music, comedy, traditional arts such as opera and martial arts, to spectacular displays including magic and acrobatics. The stage served as a portal through which domestic and international viewers could appreciate the timeless allure of China’s exquisite traditional culture.
A standout moment of the evening was an acrobatic showcase merging Chinese traditional skills with global production design and choreography, representing dialogue and mutual respect among civilizations. In another widely talked-about performance, ballet intersected with street dance in a vibrant fusion that flawlessly blended classical grace with urban beats – a striking demonstration of cultural self-assurance grounded in tradition while welcoming innovation.
Meanwhile, comedic sketches took inspiration from daily experiences, mirroring societal shifts with warmth and wit. Collectively, these varied programs created a picture of a community that honors its legacy while welcoming modern creative expression.
For Chinese audiences, the Spring Festival Gala is far more than a mere television program. It has evolved into an essential cultural banquet and emotional connection for Chinese people on Chinese New Year’s Eve. By promoting togetherness and companionship and narrating the tales of everyday individuals, it embodies the nation’s aspirations and legacy, establishing itself as an irreplaceable emotional and cultural anchor for billions of Chinese worldwide.
Transmitted globally in multiple languages, the gala enabled Chinese living abroad to join the same celebration as their relatives in China, spanning physical distances and strengthening a common cultural identity. It serves as a reminder that, regardless of location, they belong to a greater community.
Technology on full display
With culture at the gala’s core, technology served as its dynamic engine. This year’s production incorporated state-of-the-art digital technologies into numerous aspects of the presentation.
Sophisticated applications, including artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and extended reality (XR), converted the stage into an all-encompassing, multi-layered environment. By integrating breakthrough technologies such as VR headsets, Beidou navigation, and drones, expansive digital backdrops materialized behind artists, animating various traditions through kinetic, interactive visuals.
The 2026 gala aligns with a critical juncture in China’s technological advancement. AI, robotics, and other foundational technologies – set to influence human civilization for years to come – are now swiftly penetrating the consumer marketplace.
This wider tech trend was prominently showcased in the gala’s production. A major highlight occurred when humanoid robots elevated Kung Fu to new heights, executing vaults and backflips with fluid and accurate motions. The performance has astonished international online audiences who voiced their appreciation for the progress of China’s robotics sector.
In 2025, China’s humanoid robot industry transitioned from experimental curiosity to broad societal implementation. The nation now hosts over 150 humanoid robot enterprises, and the field is growing at a yearly pace exceeding 50 percent, with market volume projected to hit 100 billion yuan (approximately $14.22 billion) by 2030.
The Year of the Horse extravaganza distinguishes itself in the 43-year history of the Spring Festival Gala as one of the most technologically sophisticated versions to date. The incorporation of AI applications and robotics was not mere ornamental flair, but a core component of narrative and artistic expression.
For over 40 years, the Spring Festival Gala has reflected China’s evolution – from a period of material shortage to an age of digital interconnection and worldwide participation. As families assembled before their screens and global viewers watched from distant locations, the gala delivered more than amusement. It offers a dynamic chronicle of a civilization that cherishes its heritage, welcomes innovation, and spreads its celebratory energy worldwide.
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CONTACT: Contact： Jiang Simin jiang.simin@cgtn.com
