An elephant-themed performance featuring traditional dances from the Dai ethnic group in southwest China's Yunnan Province displayed the harmonious co-existence between mankind and nature during the China Media Group (CMG)'s Spring Festival which ushered in the Year of the Snake on Wednesday.
The grand television showcase has integrated traditional culture with innovative means to entertain audiences on the eve of the Chinese New Year, with a host of performances being staged during the hours-long variety show which was broadcast live on Tuesday night.
The dance show, performed by dancers from the Yunnan Provincial Song and Dance Ensemble, drew inspiration from the migration of wild elephants in Yunnan Province, a story which has attracted global attention in recent years.
With innovative movements, dancers presented a stirring scene depicting the important relationship between nature and mankind, and of the need to boost conservation efforts and protect the natural environment.
With the Spring Festival's recent inscription onto UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, this year's gala integrated more elements of intangible cultural heritage to create a cultural feast for global audiences.
Recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world's most-watched annual TV program, the hours-long television extravaganza attracts over a billion views every year.
Elephant-themed dance show at CMG Spring Festival Gala displays harmony between mankind, nature
The steady growth of the Chinese economy and the country's continued efforts to open up and innovate will bring sustained confidence to the world economy, international experts said as China's annual two sessions are attracting global attention.
China's GDP grew by 5 percent year on year in 2024, ranking among the world's fastest-growing major economies and continuing to contribute about 30 percent to global economic growth.
At this year's third session of the 14th National People's Congress -- the first since last July's reform-themed third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China -- reform was once again highlighted across a broad spectrum of areas, ranging from rural development and improving fiscal, tax and financial systems, to education and health care.
According to a government work report submitted on Wednesday to the national legislature for deliberation, China targets an economic growth rate of around 5 percent in 2025. The report also outlines an array of other key development goals for this year, including a surveyed urban unemployment rate of around 5.5 percent, over 12 million new urban jobs, and an around 2 percent increase in the consumer price index.
Speaking about China's development, Marcela Vera, director of the Institute of Local Governments (IGLO) at Universidad Abierta de Recoleta, praised the country for achieving the balance of social welfare and economic growth.
"China has successfully balanced social welfare with healthy economic growth. Especially against the backdrop of global economic stagnation, recession, or extreme inflation, China's inflation rate is remarkably low. This allows people not only to earn high incomes but also to have stronger purchasing power compared to citizens of other countries," she said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged east China's Jiangsu Province, an economic powerhouse, to play a major role in the country's overall development when taking part in a deliberation with his fellow lawmakers from Jiangsu on March 5.
He said Jiangsu should take the lead in integrating technological and industrial innovation, advancing in-depth reform and high-standard opening up, and implementing major national development strategies, urging it to set an example in pursuing common prosperity.
Curtis Atkins, a Canadian media professional who is now managing editor of the Long View Publishing, spoke highly of President Xi's "forward-looking" thinking and expressed optimism about Jiangsu's role in promoting common prosperity among different Chinese regions.
"When President Xi talked about Jiangsu Province playing this leading role to help carry the rest of the country forward and to show the way, I think it really is another example of contrast, where the different regions, the different provinces of China are always reminded that we are in this together, this is a cooperative enterprise, this is about common prosperity for all of our people. It's very forward-looking," said Atkins.
Russian news commentator Igor Shnushenko, also former editor-in-chief of Delovoy Peterburg, commended China's commitment to technological innovation, emphasizing its collaboration for global benefit, especially for developing countries.
"I noticed that President Xi emphasized technological innovation and industrial innovation once again in his speech. I think this is very important, as both China and the global economy need continuous innovation. Developing countries, in particular, must quickly upgrade their traditional industries and continue to explore emerging industries," he said.
The "two sessions" refer to the annual meetings of China's top legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC), and the top political advisory body, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). This year, the third session of the 14th NPC opened on March 5 and will conclude on March 11, while the third session of the 14 CPPCC National Committee opened on March 4 and concluded on March 10.
China's development brings confidence to the world: int'l experts
