China Media Group (CMG) hosted the Egyptian leg of the „Prelude to the Spring Festival Gala: The World Watches CMG Gala Together“ event in Cairo, Egypt on Friday, February 13, 2026. The event attracted more than 200 guests from the political, academic and media spheres from both China and Egypt.
Shen Haixiong, Deputy Head of the Propaganda Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of the CMG, delivered a video message highlighting the growing worldwide recognition of the Spring Festival and related Chinese traditions. According to Shen, the Spring Festival symbolizes thousands of years of Chinese civilization and the spiritual bond that unites Chinese people around the world. Today, nearly 20 countries and regions officially recognize Spring Festival as a national holiday, and roughly one-fifth of the world's population celebrates it in various ways. This cultural tradition, he said, brings people closer to China and allows them to experience the values it expresses - family harmony, social inclusion and humanity's harmony with nature.
Shen said the Spring Festival Gala, the most watched annual cultural event, has been held continuously for 43 years and has become a „spiritual New Year family dinner“ that reaches out to Chinese communities and audiences around the world. The 2026 edition, with the theme of „Stallion at full gallop, unsurpassed forward“, will use broadcasting in 82 languages and advanced „5G+4K/8K+AI“ technology to offer viewers an intense cultural experience.
Liao Liqiang, Chinese Ambassador to Egypt, appreciated that the event opened a new window for the Egyptian and Arab public to learn about Chinese culture, contributed to deepening understanding between the two nations and strengthened bilateral ties. He stressed that the horse in traditional Chinese culture symbolizes progress and hope, and recalled that China and Egypt will continue to cooperate with the energy and determination symbolized by the horse to develop bilateral relations and contribute to peace and prosperity.
Amr Hamzah, Egypt's Deputy Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs, recalled that the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries continues to improve and develop and praised the fruitful cooperation in the political, economic and cultural fields. The year 2026 also marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt, which he said provides new opportunities for further deepening cooperation and mutual understanding.
Essam Sharaf, former Egyptian Prime Minister, stressed that the spirit of the Year of the Horse - strength, progress and vitality - corresponds to the dynamic development of Sino-Egyptian relations, and expressed his wish that the two countries would work together towards a brighter future.
The event included a number of cultural activities. As part of the horse presentation, experts from Peking University and Shanghai University of International Studies presented the symbolic and cultural significance of the horse in Chinese and Egyptian civilisation. Guests also engaged in painting horse motifs using brush and ink to express their best wishes for the Year of the Horse.
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