BEIJING, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — This year’s Spring Festival Gala, an annual celebration produced and broadcast by China Media Group, commenced on Tuesday, the eve of the Chinese New Year, as Chinese people worldwide celebrated the Spring Festival, the most important Chinese festival centering on family reunions.

Known as “Chunwan,” the gala, the first since China’s Spring Festival was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, has not only continued its tradition as the must-watch show for Chinese families on Chinese New Year’s Eve since 1983 but also reached new heights in showcasing human warmth and cultural heritage.

The gala showcased a mix of performances, from music, comedy and traditional arts like opera and martial arts to spectacular acts such as magic and acrobatics. It was also the fourth year viewers could watch the gala on vertical screens. The mobile-optimized vertical format of the gala has proved especially popular, garnering 130 million, 190 million, and 420 million views, respectively, in the three preceding years.

A heartfelt gathering

This year’s gala placed a stronger emphasis on celebrating the lives and contributions of ordinary people, further embodying the idea of “the people’s Spring Festival Gala.”

From grassroots police officers and railway crew members to intangible cultural heritage inheritors and famous internet personalities, people from all walks of life were invited to share their personal stories and introduce the programs in the gala.

The gala also introduced barrier-free broadcasting for visually and hearing-impaired audiences for the first time, using augmented reality (AR) virtual technology and AI voice recognition to provide an inclusive viewing experience for them.

Sign language interpreters, enhanced by AR effects, and audio descriptions of the performances ensured that everyone could enjoy the festivities, further solidifying the gala’s role as a celebration for all.

Bridging cultures through celebration

As the first Spring Festival Gala following the UNESCO recognition, the 2025 edition emphasized showcasing China’s intangible cultural heritage.

The opening visual spectacle, “Welcoming Fortune,” combined cutting-edge technologies such as AR, interactive screens, and naked-eye 3D to present traditional Chinese New Year customs and cultural elements from across the country.

From the vibrant art of paper cutting to copper engraving and “iron flowers,” a folk art performance in which molten iron is cast into the air to show a firework effect, each performance was a testament to the richness and diversity of Chinese intangible cultural heritage.

Another standout program was “The Pillars and Beams,” a song-and-dance act inspired by Beijing’s Central Axis, which was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024.

Modern digital art was also used to show the structures of ancient Chinese architecture to viewers in detail, bringing an immersive experience of excellent Chinese traditional culture.

The gala is not just a domestic phenomenon but also a global event, inviting people from around the world to participate in the celebration.

Evan Kyle, a young American man who donated a World War II photo album to China, was invited to attend the gala. Foreign musicians and singers also performed during the gala. Among them, American rock band OneRepublic performed its hit song “Counting Stars.” Chinese and Peruvian singers sang “Condor and Lanhuahua,” which combines Lan Huahua, a popular folk song of Northern Shaanxi in China, and  “El Condor Pasa,” a Peruvian folk song.

Through CGTN and its multilingual platforms, this year’s gala reached viewers in over 200 countries and regions.

With live broadcasts in English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Russian and coverage by more than 2,900 media outlets worldwide, the gala continues to serve as a cultural bridge connecting people across the globe.

CGTN has launched the Snake Year Dance Fun challenge to celebrate the Year of the Snake, attracting active participation from more than 70 countries and regions. CGTN also hosts its Spring Festival special “Super Night” on the eve of the Chinese New Year, presenting splendid programs to viewers worldwide in multiple languages to promote cultural exchanges.

For more information, please click:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-01-28/2025-Spring-Festival-Gala-A-toast-to-humanity-and-cultural-heritage-1AxjvW3Y9eE/p.html

SYDNEY, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Lunar New Year festivities are upon us, with an estimated 2 billion people worldwide, set to celebrate with the exchange of traditional hongbao (red packets).

While traditional customs remain strong, many individuals are turning to modern methods of gifting to engage with this ritual in the digital age. Digital red envelopes and gift cards have become increasingly popular, offering a convenient and modern twist on this centuries-old tradition.

Leading branded payments provider Blackhawk Network (BHN) expects to see an uptick in gift cards exchanged over this festive period.

BHN Head of APAC Region Peter Malycon says “As we welcome the Year of the Snake, we’re seeing a fusion of tradition and digital innovation as consumers embrace digital gifting this Lunar New Year. BHN’s gift card range allows for prosperity and joy to be shared with ease, whether sending a gift to loved ones across the world, the country, or the street. BHN gift cards ensure the heart of the celebrations remains unchanged: spreading good fortune, joy and meaningful connections.”

Digital gift cards offer a simple, efficient way to give and receive gifts. Sent via email, text, or even social media, they serve as a modern twist on a long-standing tradition, making it easier to share in the joy of Lunar New Year.

The rise of digital gifting reflects broader trends as more aspects of life become digitally conscious. Digital gift cards have seen significant growth, especially among younger generations. BHN research shows that younger shoppers, Gen Z and Millennials, are twice as likely to share and store gift cards via email (63%), digital wallet (41%) or text (22%)^[1]. These generations are leading the way in embracing the convenience of online purchases, including gift cards.

Yet the essence of Lunar New Year remains unchanged: it is a time for renewal, compassion, and generosity. Whether choosing to honour the holiday with traditional customs or embrace the convenience of digital gifting, the spirit of the festival continues to celebrate family, community, and the promise of new beginnings.

BHN Lunar New Year gift cards are available for purchase at Giftz or via the BHN Corporate Card Store if you are looking to order in quantities for your employees or customers as timely rewards or incentives.

TOKYO, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Casio Computer Co., Ltd. announced today the release of new DW-6900TR watches which celebrate the 30th anniversary of the iconic round-shaped DW-6900 models, known for their triple-graph display and front button. This anniversary collection re-creates the first color variations beyond black offered in a DW-6900.

The Casio purpose is: “Through the power to put wonder at hand, bring new levels of joy to lives one by one.” One example is G-SHOCK, which ushered in an entirely new genre of toughness in wristwatch design, breaking industry conventions and setting new standards through innovative use of color, materials, and collaborations. The DW-6900, one of the iconic style* G-SHOCK watches, has served as the base for over 100 collaboration watches with brands, artists, and environmental organizations.

The new DW-6900TR shock-resistant watches commemorate the 30th anniversary of the DW-6900 by re-creating the color variations of the DW-6900H, the first model in the line to introduce colors other than black. The collection features the three colors originally used in the DW-6900H: black, red, and yellow, evoking a sense of 1990s nostalgia that transcends time. Unique to this anniversary collection, the words “SINCE 1995” — referencing the debut year of the 6900 line — appear on the LCD when the backlight is activated. Additionally, the case back is engraved with 30 stars, adding an exclusive celebratory touch.

The front button is crafted from metal with a mirror finish, enhancing its texture and highlighting the “G” mark for a bold presence. The bezel and band are made with bio-based resin, which is expected to help reduce environmental impact.

The packaging features the “G” mark and the signature colors of black, red, and yellow, making it a fitting presentation for this commemorative collection.

NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) extends warm wishes for a prosperous, healthy, and joyful Lunar New Year. May the Year of the Snake bring wisdom, success, and fortune to all.

Included images show the celebration of the Lunar New Year across the New York Stock Exchange Building from its iconic six columned façade to the NYSE Trading Floor. The NYSE building is located at 11 Wall Street at the heart of the global financial markets.

About the New York Stock Exchange: Founded in 1792, the New York Stock Exchange, now part of Intercontinental Exchange, has been a leading exchange for over 230 years. The NYSE’s market model, extensive network, brand visibility, and core services assist companies in navigating global markets and accessing capital. Combining human expertise on the world’s oldest active equities trading floor with advanced trading technology from NYSE Pillar, the NYSE offers deep liquidity and stable markets.

STOCKHOLM, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Stockholm Exergi has been awarded support in the Swedish Energy Agency’s reverse auction for BECCS. The approved support amounts to just over 20 billion SEK and will be disbursed continuously over a maximum of 15 years, starting from the commencement of geological storage. The support is an important part of the funding to enable the permanent removal of 800,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year, which is more than Stockholm’s road traffic emits during the same period. 

–  This long-awaited announcement is the result of our dedicated efforts. This support is essential for us to move forward with building Europe’s largest facility for capturing and storing biogenic carbon dioxide” says Anders Egelrud, CEO of Stockholm Exergi.  

Today there is a broad consensus that global warming cannot be limited to 1.5°C or below 2°C without carbon removals. Along with emission reductions and land-based carbon sinks, permanent carbon removals are needed to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and combat climate change. Almost all scenarios outlined by the UN Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that align with the Paris Agreement require large volumes of BECCS. 

–  The government’s investment in BECCS together with private financing from climate-ambitious companies mark the beginning of a new green industry. This initiative paves the way for Sweden and the EU to achieve their long-term climate goals, while providing companies with a real way to reach net-zero through agreements with us to purchase permanent carbon removals.”, says Anders Egelrud. 

Stockholm Exergi’s next step in the process will be to reach an investment decision, which is expected to happen as soon as possible in 2025, paving the way to start capturing carbon dioxide within three years from now. 

About BECCS and Beccs Stockholm 
BECCS is a technology that captures biogenic carbon dioxide before it reaches the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide is converted into liquid form and permanently stored in the bedrock, creating permanent removals by removing carbon from the biogenic cycle. Permanent carbon removals can be used to balance emissions that are either unavoidable or very difficult to eliminate. It is an essential piece of the puzzle in order to reach the climate goals and net-zero emissions.  

Stockholm Exergi’s planned facility, Beccs Stockholm, will be constructed at the existing bio power plant in Värtan. The plant already leverages forest residues to generate sustainable electricity and district heating, delivering safe and reliable power while keeping Stockholm’s residents warm through a 300-mile district heating network. By now adding the removal of the biogenic carbon dioxide, we create even more climate benefits. 

Contact Details:
Fredrik Persson
Fredrik.persson@stockholmexergi.se
+46 73 063 81 71