The Spring Festival Gala: A global showcase of Chinese culture and a vision for the future

The 2025 Spring Festival Gala, as the first gala following the successful inclusion of the Chinese Spring Festival in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage representative list, holds unprecedented cultural significance and historical mission. This event was not only a visual feast but also a global platform showcasing Chinese culture as well as its development vision.

The global dissemination of Intangible Cultural Heritage: A display of cultural confidence

The gala began with a unique and eye-catching opening act, featuring Li Ziqi, a global internet sensation who made a strong comeback in the winter of 2024. Her attire showcased 13 Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) art forms, ranging from Suzhou embroidery, Yunjin brocade, batik and Miao embroidery. Each stitch and thread embodied the essence of Chinese culture. Li Ziqi's display of ICH arts symbolize the revival and rise of Chinese culture globally. It also indicates that in the process of globalization, China is not only pursuing economic strength but also focusing on cultural output and enhancing its global cultural influence.

The rise of young forces: The integration of agricultural spirit and technological innovation

This year's Spring Festival Gala featured the debut of the Ten Qintian group, a youth performance troupe showcasing the spirit of Chinese agriculture, which was refreshing and invigorating. This young group demonstrated the spirit of Chinese agriculture. Their vibrant energy and dynamic performance symbolized the future of Chinese agriculture. They are not only the successors of agriculture but also the drivers of innovation. From the use of intelligent agricultural machinery and the application of agricultural big data to drone spraying and precision irrigation, these young people are redefining agricultural labor with the power of technology. The group's performance showcased the efficiency and convenience of modern agriculture while conveying an important message: technology is the key driver of agricultural development.

Fusion of technology and art: The future of Cyber Yangko Dance

The Cyber Yangko Dance was one of the highlights of this year's Spring Festival Gala. This performance combined traditional yangko dance with modern technology, creating a striking contrast between the softness of handkerchiefs and the precise control of robots. Cyber Yangko not only demonstrated the seamless integration of technology with folk art but also hinted at China's future development direction in the field of technology.

The dance's intricate handkerchief rotations required exceptional precision, which the robots performed with remarkable coordination and accuracy. This showcased China's leading position in artificial intelligence and robotics. The debut of Cyber Yangko represents an innovation in traditional art forms and offers a vision for the future integration of technology and art. It signals that in the future, China aims to not only maintain its technological edge but also combine technology with culture and the arts to create more innovative and influential cultural products.

China's vision behind the Spring Festival Gala

The 2025 Spring Festival Gala is not just a cultural feast but also a reflection of China's future vision. Through the global celebration of intangible cultural heritage, we witness the display of China's cultural confidence; through the rise of young talent, we glimpse the promise of China's future; through the integration of technology and art, we see China's ambition in technological and cultural innovation.

As a symbol of Chinese culture, the Spring Festival Gala not only celebrates China's past and present but also foretells its future. It signifies China's ambition to remain a global leader not only in economy and technology but also in culture and art, showcasing its unique charm and influence. As a nation with profound cultural heritage and an innovative spirit, China will shine even brighter on the global stage.

The author is an MA student of English linguistics at Shandong University (Weihai). The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

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