Ukrainian children endure four years of war – longer than World War II – ChildFund NZ

Source: ChildFund New Zealand
Tomorrow will mark four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
“That’s longer than the duration of their war against the Nazis,” says Josie Pagani, CEO of ChildFund New Zealand.
“Charities like ChildFund have remained working in the country and the region since the start, through our local partners. We could not support the children we do, without the generosity of Kiwis who have kept supporting us since the war started.”
The latest statistics are shocking:
  • 4.6 million children entering their fourth consecutive year of disrupted schooling
  • 10% of school and educational facilities damaged (1,700 facilities)
  • 2,859,000 children displaced; one third of Ukraine’s child population
  • 62.89% of these displaced children are now refugees
  • Bombs have killed or injured more than 3,200 children since February 2022.
  • 2025 saw a 10% increase over the year prior for child casualties
  • Nearly 200 medical facilities have been destroyed or damaged in 2025 alone.
Through its partner, We World, ChildFund New Zealand has also helped support 7,334 people (adults and children) across Ukraine with mental and psychosocial health sessions. Safe centres for children have been set up in protected and underground spaces, offering educational, psychosocial and recreational activities.
This winter, temperatures have already dropped to -20 degrees Celsius. The renewed attacks on energy infrastructure mean widespread blackouts, and no reliable access to heating and water.
“Ukrainian children and their families need us more than ever.” 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/24/ukrainian-children-endure-four-years-of-war-longer-than-world-war-ii-childfund-nz/

New Zealand announces more support for Ukraine, sanctions on Russia

Source: New Zealand Government

New Zealand will provide $8 million in new assistance for Ukraine and implement additional sanctions targeting Russia’s war machine, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.

 “Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion, now entering its fifth year, has devastated Ukraine, destabilised Europe and impacted the security of our own region,” Mr Peters says. 

 “Russia’s relentless bombardment of civilian infrastructure this winter has hit Ukraine’s people hard, and this assistance demonstrates New Zealand’s continued solidarity. 

 “These contributions will help address urgent needs as a result of Russia’s brutal winter attacks on Ukrainian civilians and energy infrastructure.”

New Zealand will provide $5 million in humanitarian assistance to international aid partners supporting Ukrainian civilians badly affected by the war. 

 This brings New Zealand’s total humanitarian assistance to Ukraine to $45 million over the past four years. 

 A further $3 million will go to the World Bank-administered Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund, which supports energy resilience and reconstruction. 

New Zealand is also implementing its 34th round of sanctions against Russia.

New measures include lowering the price cap on Russian crude oil and sanctioning 100 shadow fleet vessels.

“These are calculated steps to curtail crucial oil revenues fuelling Putin’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine,” Mr Peters says.

New Zealand has also sanctioned actors from Belarus, Iran, and North Korea, alongside alternative payment providers, malicious cyber actors, and those supporting Russia’s military‑industrial complex. 

More information about sanctions, travel bans, and export controls against Russia, as well as diplomatic, military and economic support to Ukraine, can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website here.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/24/new-zealand-announces-more-support-for-ukraine-sanctions-on-russia/

Documentary series ‘My China Story’ shines spotlight on US martial artist Jake Pinnick

Source: Media Outreach

BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 February 2026 – The People’s Daily has launched two seasons of the documentary My China Story, featuring 10 foreigners who have pursued their careers in China. Season one features tech entrepreneur Nikk Mitchell, US zoologist Kevin Messenger, US ceramist Matt Watterson and Argentinian motorcycle designer Rodrigo Álvarez. The newly released season two of the series puts the spotlight on Neil Schmid, a US expert on Buddhist studies and Dunhuang; US martial arts lover and Taoist Jake Pinnick; French spelunker Jean Bottazzi and Russian vlogger Anton Butov, all of whom have shared their distinctive life paths in China.

My China Story gives the world a window into foreign residents who have lived across different regions with a wide range of career choices. This documentary series has gained a significant number of overseas viewers on a variety of social media platforms, including Youtube, Tiktok and X. Among all the episodes, the viewers have shown the most interest in Pinnick, who was born in the 1990s in the US, and came to China following an obsession with Chinese martial arts and Taoism studies. This contrasting background has made viewers more eager to learn why and how he lived in China ‘s Wudang Mountains for over a decade.

2025 marked a remarkable year for Pinnick. In April, he received China’s Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card — the “Five-Star Card” — and in May, he was named an Honorary Citizen of Shiyan City at an inaugural ceremony. These honors stand as powerful testaments to his decade-and-a-half journey of cultural immersion.

Pinnick’s story began in 2010 when, inspired by kung fu movies, the then-20-year-old arrived at the foot of the Wudang Mountains with zero martial arts experience and no knowledge of the Chinese language. He carried only a dictionary and a handwritten note that read, “I want to go to the Wudang Mountains.” Emerging from the morning mist, he found his purpose the moment he saw a master leading disciples in practice.

The path from novice to master has been paved with rigorous discipline. Pinnick mastered Tai Chi and various weapon techniques. Beyond the physical movements, he delved into the spiritual heart of China, studying the Tao Te Ching and learned to play Taoist music. During his toughest moments of exhaustion and homesickness, it was his “kung fu family” that gave him the strength to persevere.

Over the past 16 years, Pinnick has not only transformed personally but also witnessed China’s rapid development. He vividly remembers that reaching Wudang once required a slow train to Yibin; today, the journey is defined by high-speed rail and an expanding airport now welcoming international travelers.

Today, Pinnick serves as a vital cultural bridge. Through social media and live performances, he shares the wisdom of Wudang with a global audience. “I originally came for martial arts,” Pinnick reflects, “but I stayed for the culture and history.” Guided by his master’s philosophy that “Kung fu knows no borders,” Pinnick continues to demonstrate that martial arts is not about conflict, but about inclusivity and connecting a diverse world.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/15/documentary-series-my-china-story-shines-spotlight-on-us-martial-artist-jake-pinnick/?doing_wp_cron=1771139142.4675970077514648437500

AsiaBC Introduces Award-Winning Incorporation & Asia Market Entry Expertise to UAE’s Global Founders

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR/DUBAI, UAE – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 February 2026 – Asia Business Centre (AsiaBC), a Hong Kong-based leader in corporate services and cross-border startup consultancy, has been named Outstanding Company Formation Services of the Year at the HKCT Business Awards 2025.

Presented by the Hong Kong Commercial Times (HKCT), the award recognises AsiaBC’s excellence in helping global founders establish, scale, and succeed in business hubs across Asia and the Middle East. With deep expertise in regulatory frameworks and banking ecosystems, AsiaBC helps entrepreneurs overcome market-entry challenges faced by SMEs and new ventures.

AsiaBC plays a key role in simplifying and accelerating incorporation, bank account setup, and international compliance in Hong Kong, Singapore, and offshore centres.

AsiaBC’s Expertise Solves Hong Kong Setup Challenges

Since 2009, AsiaBC has turned entrepreneurial vision into operational businesses through end-to-end support. Beyond company registration, the team guides clients through structuring, documentation, bank onboarding, tax planning, and accounting, ensuring that each step fits the business model.

AsiaBC demystifies cross-border operations by leveraging market insight and ties with over 100 banks and FinTech providers. The firm delivers reduced setup time, guaranteed bank account results under its “No Win, No Fee” programme, and proven legal readiness. One recent case saw a client complete company formation and bank account opening in Hong Kong on the same day, just before flying home. Another client, a tech startup, secured banking approval within 48 hours, enabling rapid launch into the APAC market.

AI-Powered Compliance & UAE Hub to Serve Global Founders

To better serve international entrepreneurs, AsiaBC is broadening its presence and technology.

In 2026, AsiaBC will open its first advisory hub in Dubai to support UAE entrepreneurs entering Asia. Services will include offshore company planning, tax coordination, risk assessment, and compliance across jurisdictions.

AsiaBC is also launching AI-enabled tools to make bank onboarding more predictable. A smart matching engine will analyse each client’s profile – including business model and risk category – and map it to onboarding preferences across AsiaBC’s banking network. Drawing on 6,000+ cases, this tool aims to shorten approval time and improve success rates, especially for founders under scrutiny.

“For 16 years, we’ve followed one principle: ‘Professionalism is the foundation, but solving problems is the core,’” said Raymond Wong, Managing Director. “This award affirms our commitment to outcome-driven solutions that help clients expand smoothly and sustainably.”

Championing the Entrepreneurial Spirit
AsiaBC’s client-first strategy includes:

  • Tailored support from incorporation to compliance
  • Guaranteed banking results
  • Strong ecosystem relationships
  • Multilingual support in English, French, Spanish, Russian, and Mandarin

Hashtag: #AsiaBC

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/14/asiabc-introduces-award-winning-incorporation-asia-market-entry-expertise-to-uaes-global-founders/

CGTN: Little Chinese New Year opens big window to China’s soul

Source: Media Outreach

BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 February 2026 – As China marks Xiaonian, or Little Chinese New Year, there is growing evidence of its ancient traditions evolving into global lifestyle trends. CGTN published an article analyzing how this prelude to the Year of the Horse – from the folk ritual of “sweeping the dust” to the cross-cultural fusion of the Spring Festival Gala – illustrates China’s growing global cultural resonance.

As the lunar calendar turns its final pages, China enters a period of joyful anticipation known as Xiaonian, or Little Chinese New Year. Often celebrated as the Festival of the Kitchen God, it marks the official start of the “busy year” – a traditional term for the intense, joyful period of preparing food, cleaning homes, and shopping for the upcoming Spring Festival.

The Spring Festival is a deeply significant time for family reunion. In 2024, UNESCO inscribed the “Spring Festival, social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of the traditional Chinese New Year” onto the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

While daily routines continue to evolve, they remain anchored in rituals that provide a sense of normalcy and meaning. It is perhaps no wonder that in a climate of uncertainty, traditional Chinese lifestyles are finding a new audience beyond the country’s borders, with the Spring Festival chief among those unique traditions that are fast becoming a shared human experience.

Diverse traditions, shared aspirations

In a prelude to the broader celebrations, Xiaonian, observed on February 10 and 11 this year, kickstarts a focused period of preparation. According to ancient lore, families offer Zaotang, or sticky “Kitchen Candy,” to the Kitchen God to ensure he delivers a favorable report on the household’s conduct before he ascends to the heavens. This lighthearted tradition marks the beginning of several symbolic rituals aimed at welcoming a fresh start.

A key element of this transition is donning new clothes. In Chinese culture, the New Year represents a moment when “all things are renewed,” and wearing new garments symbolizes shedding the “dust” or misfortunes of the past to embrace auspicious energy for the year ahead. Alongside this personal renewal, families nationwide engage in “sweeping the dust,” a deep-cleaning ritual to purify the home and prepare it for new blessings.

Whereas these practices are universal, celebratory flavors vary by geography. In the north, families traditionally gather over steaming plates of dumplings, whereas in the south, the menu often features sweet rice cakes (Niangao) and glutinous rice balls (Tangyuan).

As Mao Qiaohui, a researcher at the Institute of Ethnic Literature at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, explains, these variations highlight the inclusive nature of Chinese civilization.

“Although folk customs differ between different regions across China, this diversity reflects the cultural pluralism within the Spring Festival tradition,” she notes. “Different regional identities contribute to a shared pursuit of harmony and reunion.”

The vitality of these traditions is also evident in local craftsmanship. In northern regions like Shandong and Henan, artisans are currently making Huamo, decorated steamed buns, featuring horse designs for the upcoming zodiac year. Meanwhile, in Shuozhou, Shanxi Province, intangible heritage inheritors are carving spirited stallions onto traditional gourds. These creations reflect the regional diversity of the festival and a collective desire for progress in the year ahead.

Cultural dialogue: From global stage to daily life

The festive atmosphere is reflected further in preparations for the Spring Festival Gala (Chunwan), produced by China Media Group.

Recent rehearsals show performances meshing traditional Chinese culture with international artistry. One performance piece combines the wooden clog dance of the Hani and Lisu ethnic groups with the rhythmic tap of Spanish Flamenco and Hungarian folk dance. And with global stars like Jackie Chan and Lionel Richie on the bill, the Gala’s stage is set to become a stage for the world to come together.

The reach of the gala has expanded far beyond a domestic audience. Through the “Spring Festival Gala Prelude” events held in the United States, Russia, France, Italy, and several African nations, the program has become a gateway to Chinese New Year customs and cultural exchange.

This interest extends beyond art and into the lives of people worldwide, as seen in the #BecomingChinese trend. This phenomenon features international social media users adopting elements of Chinese daily life – such as keeping a thermos of hot water handy, wearing quilted indoor slippers or practicing mindful movement with Baduanjin exercises.

The festival is no longer a distant event but a gateway to Chinese lifestyle, rooted in ancient wellness wisdom and constantly updated by modern convenience, and the first step to a journey of exploration into a culture that values ritual, safety and hospitality.

Whether through global broadcasts or shared daily habits, the Spring Festival increasingly strengthens a sense of cultural empathy between China and the rest of the world.

For more information, please click here:

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-02-10/Little-New-Year-opens-big-window-to-China-s-soul-1KEhJjMX2fe/p.html

Hashtag: #CGTN

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/cgtn-little-chinese-new-year-opens-big-window-to-chinas-soul/

Minister to attend Munich Security Conference

Source: New Zealand Government

Defence Minister Judith Collins departs today for Germany to attend the international Munich Security Conference. 

“In a turbulent and unpredictable world, the Munich Security Conference is an important opportunity to debate key security issues that impact New Zealand,” Ms Collins says.

“This year the conference brings together global decision-makers and military leaders from more than 100 countries, working to bolster cooperation, collective security and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.”

During the three-day conference Ms Collins will hold bilateral meetings with a number of New Zealand’s long-standing defence partners, including the United Kingdom’s Secretary of Defence, John Healey, and NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte.

She will also speak at a session focused on the interconnected nature of security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions.

“I look forward to sharing New Zealand’s perspectives on a range of international issues, particularly the interconnected security challenges facing both of our regions such as Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and escalating strategic competition. 

“As a small nation reliant on trade at the bottom of the southwest Pacific, we must take every opportunity to sit at the table and advocate for our interests and values.”

Ms Collins will return to New Zealand on 16 February.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/minister-to-attend-munich-security-conference/

How rugby and NZ are giving hope in war-torn Ukraine

Source: Radio New Zealand

Anton Shashero with Sir Graham Henry. Sarah Gloyer Waiheke Gulf News 

While the country has been dragged into a devastating war, two Ukranians are ensuring that rugby stays alive in their home, and that young players have a potential path to safety.

Anton Shashero is coach of Ukraine’s national under-16 side, and thanks to a collaboration between some prominent rugby minds in Aotearoa, he and best friend Maksym Dulia have spent the past week in the country learning from some of the best in the business.

Shashero said the invasion has had an horrific impact on players and the sport in Ukraine.

“A lot of players from the senior national team and from the under-18 team have already died. A lot of them are in the war. In almost in every family now in Ukraine, someone have lost someone. It’s huge. It’s huge.”

He said rugby acts as a beacon for young men during dark times, and for Shashero and Dulia, it had a significant impact.

“When we were kids, rugby was everything for us. You can travel, you can have friends, you can share your moments with boys on the field and it’s the values rugby which rugby gave us.”

That path was able to be extended across the other side of the world,

“We knew that we wanted to come to New Zealand and try to learn from the best. So it was our dream.

“When our boys see that we’re here with the All Blacks, it has a huge impact for them, for their families and for everyone in Ukraine, when they see that we here, it’s big moment now for Ukraine.”

Upon arrival, the pair spent time with Sir Graham Henry, the Hurricanes and at the IRANZ institute.

Anton Shashero and Maksym Dulia at IRANZ in Upper Hutt. supplied

The initiative is part of a broader plan to bring Ukrainian youth boys and girls teams to play in Aotearoa a joint effort between IRANZ, Henry and Brent Impey of Kiwi KARE, a foundation which provides New Zealand aid to Ukraine.

IRANZ general manager Wayne Taylor said it felt like the right thing to do.

“The country has been through a lot of hardship and sport can be something really positive, obviously the timing wasn’t great though with the war but it’s still something we are really keen to do, we are hoping to still get some funding and that it will still happen in the future.”

Impey said that despite everything going on in Ukraine, their passion for sport persists as the five team senior mens rugby competition continues to run.

“Their goal is to reach the 2032 Olympics in sevens, so i thought how can New Zealand help make that happen? We can be a part of reconstruction through sports diplomacy. It represents an opportunity, for New Zealand to be a visionary. “

Infrastructure in Ukraine has been significantly compromised as a result of Russian strikes, forcing Shashero to host junior camps to be held outside of the country.

“We usually do camps outside of Ukraine, in Poland and Georgia and now we go to Portugal for international tournament,” Shashero said.

Shashero and Dulia will take what they have learned home as his young side prepare to take on the best in the Northern Hemisphere.

“We have been given some fundamental things which we implement, now we have to fight to try to become the best team in the Europe. We want to show we can win against the best teams like France, Ireland, England.”

The game has come a long way in Ukraine, as Shashero vividly recalls his first trip to the European champs as a youngster where his team was soundly beaten.

“All we did was trained one week and went there and we couldn’t play well against them.”

Shashero said he has been blown away by the passion for rugby in New Zealand.

“I was at a rugby club and saw a boy maybe one years old, he cannot speak now but he already passing the ball and it’s amazing.”

Having seen some secrets behind competing on the global stage, Shashero also hopes to one day bring a Ukrainian side to Aotearoa.

“I hope that one day one will come in the future. I hope and I believe that if we prepare them for such long period, they can be on the same level with them, especially with New Zealand specialists helping us with this. I hope that it’s going to rise.”

Shashero and Dulia mixing with Hurricanes players. supplied

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/how-rugby-and-nz-are-giving-hope-in-war-torn-ukraine/

China and ASEAN Celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival Together

Source: Media Outreach

JAKARTA, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 February 2026 – 2026 marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue relations between China and ASEAN and the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. It also coincides with the Year of the Horse in Chinese Spring Festival. On February 5, the “Steeds Herald Spring, Blessings Fill ASEAN”—Spring Festival @ ASEAN Headquarters 2026 was successfully held at the ASEAN Headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN and representatives of the Guangxi government pose for a handshake group photo with the permanent representatives of the 11 ASEAN member states (Photo by Huang Jundong)

The event, supported by the Mission of the People’s Republic of China to ASEAN, the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to ASEAN, and the ASEAN Secretariat, was hosted by the Information Office of the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, and the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, and jointly organized by Guangxi Daily (Guangxi International Communication Center), Guangxi Radio and Television, Guangxi Tourism Development Group, and Guangxi Cultural Industry Group. More than 250 guests attended the event, including envoys from the 11 ASEAN countries and external partners such as Russia, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil, senior officials from the ASEAN Secretariat, representatives from mainstream ASEAN media, local university faculty and students, and representatives from Chinese-funded enterprises.

I. A Gathering of Distinguished Guests, Sharing a Common Vision

This marks the first time that Chinese Spring Festival cultural activities have been held at the ASEAN Headquarters. With the deepening of globalization, the traditional festival of Spring Festival is not only a time for family reunions for the Chinese people, but also a new bond for dialogue between different civilizations. The Chinese Spring Festival embodies the philosophy of “harmony and coexistence”, which aligns perfectly with the ASEAN countries’ pursuit of “unity and cooperation”. Furthermore, the sustainable development concept of “rejuvenating the old and welcoming the new” resonates strongly with the ASEAN region’s vision of “common prosperity”.

Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, stated in his video address that over time, the Spring Festival has evolved into a global celebration. Its inscription on the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024 underscores the rich significance of this precious human heritage. Within ASEAN, many member states celebrate the Spring Festival, reminding people of the deep emotional bonds that transcend national borders. ASEAN will continue its commitment to fostering a community proud of its identity, actively undertaking the responsibility of protecting, preserving, and creating culture, arts, and traditions, and promoting the development of the cultural and creative industries. As we welcome the Year of the Horse, we hope everyone will embrace the elegance, vitality, and forward momentum that the horse represents, and embark on the new year together with hope, resilience, and unity.

Wang Qing, Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN, stated in his address that the Spring Festival symbolizes reunion, joy, and harmony. Celebrating the holiday together exemplifies the close bonds between the people of China and ASEAN, the integration of our civilizations, and our harmonious coexistence. The China-ASEAN community with a shared future is growing ever closer, demonstrating powerful vitality and setting an exemplary model for building a community with a shared future for mankind. He specifically noted that Guangxi serves as a vital “connection point” and “intersection point” for China-ASEAN friendship, exchanges, and cooperation, functioning as both a “gateway and engine” within the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In the new year, he extended heartfelt wishes for China-ASEAN friendship and cooperation to surge forward like galloping horses, unstoppable in its momentum.

Ambassador Sarah, Permanent Representative of Malaysia to ASEAN, noted in the address that as the Country Coordinator for China-ASEAN Relations, Malaysia has been privileged to witness and foster the flourishing development of the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Cultural celebrations like today’s Spring Festival event vividly demonstrate that our partnership extends far beyond trade agreements and diplomatic protocols. ASEAN and China share a deep, mature, and resilient relationship that will continue to grow and strengthen on the solid foundation of mutual respect, shared interests, and a common vision for peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Li Pan, Director of the Information Office of the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, stated in his address that Guangxi is honored to host this event at the ASEAN Headquarters. As the permanent host city of the China-ASEAN Expo, Guangxi serves as an important platform for China-ASEAN economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges. Guangxi is working with ASEAN countries to build an artificial intelligence development path of “R&D in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou + Integration in Guangxi + Application in ASEAN”, and actively creating a new trade chain of “Production in ASEAN + Distribution in Guangxi + Sales in China”. In 2026, Guangxi will work hand in hand with all sectors of ASEAN to forge ahead and strengthen the neighborly bond between China and ASEAN over time.

II. Celebrating the Spring Festival and Savoring the Festive Flavors

The event invited guests from around the world to gather together, celebrating the Spring Festival for the Year of the Horse, savoring the flavors of the Chinese Spring Festival, and appreciating the beauty of the arts. The opening performance, “The Beauty of China: Guangxi’s Zhuang Ethnic Charm”, featured a symbolic dance and connected it with a classic excerpt from the Caidiao Opera “Liu Sanjie”, including the “Antiphonal Song”, creating an artistic masterpiece that blends Eastern poetry with innovative ingenuity. The Chinese instrumental performance, “Chinese Chic Performance for Celebrating the Spring Festival of the Year of the Horse”, featured erhu and suona as the main instruments, playing classic melodies such as the theme song from “Journey to the West” and “Black Myth: Wukong”, converging into a “National Trend IP Music Festival”. When Guangxi ethnic instruments, the maguhu (horse-bone fiddle) and the bolie, met Indonesian gamelan, Chinese and Indonesian musicians jointly performed classics like “Jasmine Flower” and “Folk Songs Like Spring River Water”making the phrase “high mountains and flowing water meet a kindred spirit” more concrete and creating a lasting artistic resonance.

During the event, Guangxi Daily (Guangxi International Communication Center), Guangxi Radio and Television, together with ASEAN media such as TVRI, El John TV, and Harian Inhua, jointly launched the China-ASEAN Spring Festival Short Video Exhibition Week. Using short videos as a link, the event showcased the joyous scenes of China and ASEAN countries celebrating the Spring Festival together from multiple dimensions, inviting netizens around the world to jointly celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival as a global festival through the Internet.

III. Savoring the Cultural Gathering, Welcoming the Prosperous Spring Festival

On the same day, the “Spring Blessings for Success at the Year of the Horse” Chinese Spring Festival Cultural Exhibition and the “Instant Joy Market” Spring Festival Cultural Market were held simultaneously at the ASEAN Headquarters. Guests from various countries experienced the hospitality of “Tea Harmonies the World” through immersive experiences that included playing, appreciating, and tasting, creating “Ancient Charm and Blessings” calligraphy and painting rubbings, admiring the exquisite paper-cutting art, and enjoying a feast of Spring Festival delicacies from all directions.

The most surprising experience for the guests was exploring the smart future using Guangxi’s cutting-edge AI technology. Guests from various countries experienced intelligent translation devices and wore AR glasses, immersing themselves in barrier-free communication and exploring the thousand-year-old legend of the Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art Cultural Landscape. Hardy Chung, a reporter from Harian Inhua, remarked that China’s AI technology not only accurately depicted the beautiful scenery of the Spring Festival but also vividly expressed the touching story of ASEAN and China being connected by mountains and seas and sharing good neighborly friendship, presenting a beautiful picture of cooperation towards the future.

On February 4th, two “Instant Blessings” Pop-Up Events were held at the Halim Station of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway and the Mall Central Park in Jakarta, Indonesia, creating a festive atmosphere for the Chinese Spring Festival. Performers from Guangxi presented a variety of acts including song, dance, opera, and puppetry, attracting many locals to participate in interactive activities, join in the “Guangxi Kemusan Dance”, and share the joy of the Spring Festival. Yi Yan, a social media blogger traveling and living in Indonesia, exclaimed, “This year’s Spring Festival atmosphere in Jakarta is different!”

This event attracted more than 20 media outlets, including People’s Daily, Xinhua News Agency, China Media Group, China News Service, TVRI, METRO TV, bolong.id, and Vietnam News Agency to report on the event and widely spread the concepts of peace, amity, and harmony in the Spring Festival to people at home and abroad.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/08/china-and-asean-celebrate-the-chinese-spring-festival-together/