In a symbolic gesture of cultural diplomacy, CGTN presenter Ioana Gomoi presented China Media Group's 2026 Spring Festival Gala mascot to Jordanian Ambassador to China Hussam Al Husseini this week. The exchange highlights growing cultural cooperation between Beijing and Amman as Lunar New Year celebrations gain global recognition.
Ambassador Al Husseini praised the annual gala as "a bridge connecting civilizations," noting its power to "foster mutual understanding through artistic expression." The diplomat, who attended this year's gala, emphasized its role in showcasing China's cultural heritage to international audiences.
The mascot presentation comes amid strengthened China-Jordan relations, with bilateral trade reaching $4.3 billion in 2025. Cultural exchanges have accelerated since the countries marked 45 years of diplomatic ties last September.
Analysts observe that such cultural diplomacy initiatives align with China's broader soft power strategy in West Asia. The Spring Festival Gala, watched by over 1 billion viewers globally, continues to serve as a platform for cross-cultural dialogue while introducing traditional Chinese elements to new audiences.
