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As the Spring Festival of the Year of the Horse approaches, the festive atmosphere of the Chinese New Year is growing stronger. Under the guidance of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, and with the support of the Chinese Embassy in the UAE and the Consulate General of China in Dubai, the 2026 “Happy Chinese New Year” Series of Activities in the UAE will soon be launched in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Ras Al Khaimah. The China Cultural Center in the UAEinvites you to join usto share joyful moments and celebrate the festive spirit of the Spring Festival! 1、2026 Abu Dhabi “Happy Chinese New Year” Chinese Guochao Music Concert The Hunan Federation of Literary and Art Circles Art Troupe will bring an exciting Chinese Guochao music concert to audiences in the UAE. Everyone is welcome to experience the perfect fusion of traditional Chinese music and modern rhythms, conveying the joy and blessings of the Spring Festival. Time January 30 (Friday) – 31 (Saturday), 2026 First Show: 18:50, Second Show: 20:00, Third Show: 21:00 Venue Sheikh Zayed Festival (Main Stage), Abu Dhabi 2、2026 Abu Dhabi “Happy Chinese New Year” Campus Visit The Jilin Provincial Culture and Art Troupe will visit Yas School in Abu Dhabi to celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival together with local teachers and students. Performances with Chinese characteristics such as traditional folk music, singing and dancing, and acrobatics will share the cultural meaning of the Chinese Spring Festival with Emirati students. Time February 5 (Thursday), 2026, 10:00 Venue Yas School, Abu Dhabi 3、2026 Abu Dhabi “Happy Chinese New Year” Grand Gala The Jilin Provincial Culture and Art Troupe will present a wonderful and colorful performance featuring traditional folk music, singing and dancing, and magic shows in succession, celebrating the Chinese New Year joyfully together with local audiences. In addition, there will also be a fireworks show and acrobatic performances from Hunan, bringing the festive atmosphere of the Chinese New Year to its climax. Time February 6 (Friday), 2026 First Show: 18:50, Second Show: 20:00, Third Show: 21:00Fireworks Show: around 21:30 (subject to the actual on-site schedule) Venue Sheikh Zayed Festival (Main Stage), Abu Dhabi 4、2026 Abu Dhabi “Nihao!China” Winter Tourism Promotion Event A grand ice-and-snow celebration has begun, inviting you to embark on a magical winter journey in China. A variety of exciting experience activities, including winter tourism video screenings, on-site interactions, prize quizzes, and Year of the Horse Spring Festival photo check-ins, are all waiting for your participation. Time February 6 (Friday), 2026, 19:00–22:00 Venue Sheikh Zayed Festival, Abu Dhabi 5、2026 Dubai “Warm Spring Welcome · Happy Chinese New Year” Grand Parade As a classic signature event of Dubai’s Spring Festival celebrations, the “Warm Spring Welcome · Happy Chinese New Year” Grand Parade and Spring Festival temple fair will once again make a brilliant appearance at Expo City Dubai. A Spring Festival concert jointly presented by the Jilin Provincial Culture and Art Troupe and the UAE Firdaus Orchestra will follow, making this joyful and energetic Spring Festival carnival not to be missed. Time February 8 (Sunday), 2026, 15:00 Venue Expo City Dubai 6、2026 Ras Al Khaimah “Happy Chinese New Year” Fireworks Show A fireworks show from Liuyang, Hunan, will light up the night sky of Ras Al Khaimah for the first time. Carrying blessings and hopes for the New Year, the dazzling fireworks will bloom like a shower of stars. Let us look forward to a bright future together and welcome the arrival of the New Year! Time February 8 (Sunday), 2026, 20:00 Venue Marjan Island, Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah

With visa facilitation, an increase in direct flight routes, and a deeper understanding of China, more and more tourists from Gulf countries are choosing China as a travel destination. According to statistics and information gathered from relevant authorities in China and Gulf countries, airlines, visa centers, and local ground service agencies, throughout 2025, the number of entries into China by citizens of the six Gulf countries exceeded 150,000, representing an increase of 100.78% compared with 2024. Among them, the number of entries by Saudi and UAE nationals increased by 110% and 113% respectively, and the volume of visa applications by foreign residents of non-Gulf nationalities in the local area also rose significantly. Starting from June 9, 2025, China achieved full visa-free coverage for the six Gulf countries. Taking this opportunity, the Chinese side organized the “Nihao!China” UAE online influencer group to travel to China and livestream “In-depth Travel in China,” showcasing to Arab fans China’s modern cities, classical gardens, beautiful countryside, and history and culture, and generating more than 30 million views on social media platforms at home and abroad. Online influencers from neighboring countries followed suit, creating spontaneous, organic dissemination by livestreaming their trips to China and publishing travel guides to China. Tourists from Gulf countries followed “influencer routes” and “celebrity routes” to travel in China, triggering a wave of “China fever” in outbound tourism. Frequent, efficient, and in-depth business matchmaking and negotiations among tourism enterprises have generated more inbound China tourism products for Gulf countries. In 2025, the Chinese side organized 26 Chinese enterprises to participate in the 2025 Arabian Travel Market, held the 2025 China–Gulf Arab Countries Tourism Exchange Event, and invited travel operators from Gulf countries to travel to Hainan to attend the China International Travel Mart and take part in familiarization trips, expanding the Gulf market for inbound tourism to China. In 2026, the second China–Arab States Summit will be held in China. As practical cooperation between China and Arab countries in various fields continues to deepen, inbound tourism to China from Gulf countries is expected to grow at an even faster pace and become an important growth driver for inbound tourism to China.

In 2025, under the guidance of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China and with the support of the Chinese Embassy in the UAE and the Consulate General of China in Dubai, the China Cultural Center in the UAE pursued innovation and organized a series of cultural exchange and tourism promotion activities, promoting mutual learning and exchange between Chinese and Arab civilizations. 2025 Highlights “Happy Chinese New Year” Series of Activities From January to February 2025, in cooperation with institutions including the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Abu Dhabi, the Carcach Diplomatic Academy, Ferrari World, Umm Al Emarat Park, The Galleria shopping mall, and the Al Marmoom camp in Dubai, 12 celebration activities were held for the Year of the Snake “Happy Chinese New Year,” including a grand parade of Chinese new energy vehicles, a Spring Festival temple fair, a touring lantern exhibition, intangible cultural heritage experiences, and cultural performances, attracting about 40,000 local participants on site. 2025 “Arabian Travel Market” In April 2025, the Center organized a delegation of 130 members consisting of 7 tourism authorities from 13 destinations in China and 26 tourism-related enterprises, under the theme of “Nihao!China,” to jointly participate in the 2025 Arabian Travel Market held in Dubai. “519 China Tourism Day” Series of Activities Around China Tourism Day in May 2025, the Center cooperated with Bassam Freiha Art Foundation, the UAE Chinese Language Teaching “Hundred Schools Project,” and the Sharjah Ladies Club to hold the “Meet China Blue” exhibition and experience workshop, the workshop “Stories of Civilization Exchanges in the Forbidden City,” and the China Culture and Tourism Festival, bringing China’s cultural and tourism resources into mainstream art museums, primary and secondary school campuses, and clubs in the UAE. “Tea for Harmony” · Tea Gathering Event In May 2025, the Chinese Embassy in the UAE and the Center held the “Tea for Harmony” · Tea Gathering event at the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation. “Nihao!China” UAE Online Influencers’ Trip to China From May 26 to June 4, 2025, to support China’s announcement of full visa-free coverage for GCC countries, the Chinese Embassy in the UAE and the Center organized the “Nihao!China” UAE Online Influencers’ Trip to China. Six online influencers visited Shanghai, Suzhou in Jiangsu, Anji in Zhejiang, and Beijing, sparking widespread attention on overseas social media, and travel to China became a “hot keyword” in the UAE. China–Arab Stage Art Exchange In May and December 2025, the Sharjah “Quarter Century Theatre” in the UAE respectively cooperated with the China Institute of Stage Design, the Yinchuan Stage Art Society of Ningxia, and the Shanghai Theatre Academy to carry out China–Arab stage art exchanges. “Nihao!China” Joint Promotion for Inbound Tourism In June 2025, the Chinese Embassy in Bahrain and the Center held a “Nihao!China” Bahrain pop-up tourism promotion event at the City Center shopping mall in Manama. From November to December 2025, the Center, together with Emirates Airline, held the “Nihao!China” Winter Tourism UAE Online Promotion Event. “A Time to Share” China Culture Week Activities In September 2025, in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, activities including a comprehensive acrobatic performance from Dezhou, Shandong, a comprehensive presentation of culture and tourism from Chengdu, and a violin solo concert by Lü Siqing were organized, with Chinese and Arab people celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival together. 2025 China–Gulf Arab Countries Tourism Exchange Event In September 2025, support was provided for holding the first “China–Gulf Arab Countries Tourism Exchange Event” in Dubai. A total of 136 buyers and suppliers from China and Gulf Arab countries participated. With the theme of “Nihao!China,” the event carried out two-way displays of tourism resources and business negotiations. China as Guest Country of Honor at the UAE National Festival of Tolerance and Coexistence In November 2025, the UAE Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence invited China to participate as the Guest Country of Honor in the 7th “Festival of Tolerance and Coexistence.” The ethnic dance performance by Quanzhou Normal University organized by the Center and the Chinese cultural booth became highlights of the event. Chinese Film Screenings Throughout 2025, support was provided for the theatrical release of “Nezha 2” in the UAE; the film “The Musician” was screened in Abu Dhabi to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War; the 7th UAE China Film Week was held in Dubai, during which four Chinese films including “Little Monsters of Langlang Mountain” were screened in Dubai. Gulf Travel Operators’ Trips to China for Events and Familiarization Tours In October 2025, support was provided for the Dubai Office of Air China to organize UAE travel operators to visit Chongqing and Sichuan. In December 2025, the Center organized a delegation of travel operators from Gulf countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait to travel to Hainan to attend the 2025 China International Travel Mart and participate in a familiarization tour. Once again, thank you for your attention and support for the China Cultural Center in the UAE, and Happy New Year!

On December 19, the 2025 China International Travel Mart, hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, opened in Haikou City, Hainan Province. More than 1,000 travel operators and representatives from 101 countries and regions attended the event. The China Cultural Center in the UAE and Emirates Airline jointly invited a delegation of seven travel operators from Gulf countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait to attend the event in Hainan. During the event, they participated in multiple special promotion sessions and more than 100 one-on-one professional business meetings. The travel operators expanded their networks of local ground-handling agencies, hotels, and attraction suppliers in areas such as holiday tourism, MICE tourism, and business clients, adding more options for further developing inbound China tourism products. During the pre-event familiarization trip in Hainan, the travel operators visited Qionghai, Wanning, Sanya, and Haikou, focusing on understanding local hotels, restaurants, and transportation conditions, and established contacts with multiple local suppliers in Hainan. In preparation for this travel mart, the UAE-based Al-Rais travel company specifically updated its tourism products in November for destinations in China such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, and Hong Kong. Emirati travel blogger Abdullah, who participated in the online influencer trip to China in May, specially posted on his social media the article “Six Essential Apps for Traveling to China,” addressing issues related to payment, data, communication, transportation, navigation, translation, and dining. Since China announced in May 2025 the full visa-free coverage for Gulf countries, enthusiasm for traveling to China from Gulf countries has continued to rise. In 2026, the China Cultural Center in the UAE will further carry out online and offline promotions, as well as familiarization trips for travel operators and online influencers, to promote sustained growth in Gulf countries’ enthusiasm for traveling to China.

On December 9, 2025, the exhibition “Transcending • Connecting • Coexisting: Stage Art for the World” grandly opened at the Quarter Century Theatre in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The exhibition is jointly organized by the Shanghai Theatre Academy and the Sharjah Quarter Century Theatre, and co-organized by the Department of Stage Art of the Shanghai Theatre Academy, the Shanghai Municipal Strategic Innovation Team for “AI + Performing Arts,” and the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy of the United Arab Emirates. Under the theme of “Transcending • Connecting • Coexisting,” the exhibition aims to showcase the Shanghai Theatre Academy’s 80 years of academic accumulation and practical exploration in the field of theatrical arts. Held at the Quarter Century Theatre in Sharjah, the exhibition reflects the cultural integration achieved through the crossing of eras and space. The exhibition is not only a vivid retrospective of the history of theatrical performances, but also a dynamic presentation of the development trajectory of Chinese theatrical education concepts — from the experimental explorations of early theatrical performances to the vigorous development of modern digitally and intelligently innovative performing arts education — fully demonstrating the richness, diversity, and profound heritage of Chinese stage art. Exhibition Space The exhibition is divided into three spaces. Exhibition Hall 1 — Flowing scrolls, like agile messengers of time, gently narrate stage art stories that transcend time and space. Visitors are able to fully appreciate the profound aesthetic reflections on theatrical art by creators from different eras, disciplines, and backgrounds, and truly experience the humanistic sentiments embodied within. Image: Exhibition Hall 1 Exhibition Hall 2 — A semi-immersive visual space has been meticulously created to jointly explore the brand-new artistic expression of “AI + Performing Arts” in the theater of the future, bringing about intense interactions among new ideas, new concepts, new forms, new methods, and new languages. Image: Exhibition Hall 2 Image: Guests viewing outstanding student works of the Shanghai Theatre Academy and the online museum in Exhibition Hall 2 Exhibition Hall 3 — Stage art works from theatrical performances are extended from static display to interactive experience, guiding us to embark on a new journey of exploration in the field of performing arts, and jointly witnessing world stage art moving toward a more brilliant and splendid future. Image: Exhibition Hall 3 Image: Selected exhibited works in Exhibition Hall 3 Source: Department of Stage Art, Shanghai Theatre Academy

Source: Official Website of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism

On December 3, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Civil Aviation Administration of China issued a notice on the release of the “Action Plan for the Integrated Development of Culture and Tourism and the Civil Aviation Industry.” The full text is as follows: Notice of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Civil Aviation Administration of China on Issuing the “Action Plan for the Integrated Development of Culture and Tourism and the Civil Aviation Industry” Culture and Tourism Departments (Bureaus) of all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government, the Culture, Sports, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, all subordinate institutions of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, overseas China Cultural Centers, tourism offices abroad, regional administrations of the civil aviation industry, transport (general) airlines, service guarantee companies, airport companies, and all units under the Civil Aviation Administration: The Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Civil Aviation Administration of China have formulated the “Action Plan for the Integrated Development of Culture and Tourism and the Civil Aviation Industry.” It is hereby issued to you. Please conscientiously implement it. This notice is hereby given. Ministry of Culture and Tourism Civil Aviation Administration of China November 28, 2025 Action Plan for the Integrated Development of Culture and Tourism and the Civil Aviation Industry To promote the integrated development of culture and tourism and the civil aviation industry, further expand development space, and unleash consumption vitality, this Action Plan is formulated. I. General Requirements Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and fully implementing the guiding principles of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Second, Third and Fourth Plenary Sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, efforts shall be made to promote deep integration and two-way empowerment between culture and tourism and the civil aviation industry, enrich new culture-and-tourism experiences, stimulate new consumption potential, and cultivate new drivers of economic growth, so as to better meet the people’s growing needs for spiritual and cultural life and for travel. By 2027, the level of tourism travel services shall be significantly improved, international and domestic tourism air routes shall cover a wider range, integrated products and scenarios shall become richer and more diverse, and culture and tourism and the civil aviation industry shall achieve deeper, broader and higher-quality integration, forming a sound development pattern in which demand drives supply and supply creates demand. II. Improving Tourism Travel Service Quality (1) Optimizing an elderly-friendly, barrier-free travel environment for seniors tourism. Airlines and airports shall be guided to upgrade elderly-friendly service measures tailored to the air-travel needs of elderly passengers, strengthen full-process service support, and be encouraged to provide services such as companion services for elderly passengers, rest areas, in-flight meals for elderly passengers, and priority seating for elderly passengers in waiting areas. A guideline for the planning and construction of barrier-free environments in passenger terminal areas of transport airports shall be prepared, and the upgrading of airport facilities to better serve the elderly shall be accelerated, so as to further improve the barrier-free travel environment. (2) Strengthening safe and convenient travel services for study tours. Airlines and airports shall be guided to provide convenience for study tour groups in such links as ticket purchase, seat selection, check-in, baggage check-in, security checks and boarding. Airlines and airports with suitable conditions are encouraged to provide fast-track group verification and passage services. Airports and culture and tourism enterprises are encouraged to optimize ground-transportation resources to provide convenient transfer services for study tour groups. (3) Enhancing a warm and comfortable flying experience for parent-child tourism. Airlines are encouraged to provide services such as family seat selection, children’s meal reservations, in-flight educational toys, children’s books and children’s audio-visual content, so as to meet the special needs of child passengers. Airports are encouraged to set up children’s play areas and parent-child interactive experience facilities in terminal buildings. Airlines and airports are supported in providing customized services based on the travel characteristics of families with multiple children. (4) Improving caring service measures for ice-and-snow tourism. Airports in ice-and-snow tourism destinations are encouraged to adopt heating measures in passenger areas under extremely cold weather conditions, give priority to the use of passenger boarding bridges for flights on routes with large temperature differences, add changing points, and provide services such as rental, sale and delivery of cold-proof clothing and heating supplies. Airlines and airports are supported in optimizing baggage-system equipment and facilities, improving the check-in and claim services for ice-and-snow tourism equipment, and promoting value-added “door-to-door” delivery services for ski and snow-sports equipment. (5) Further improving the level of facilitation for inbound tourism. Policies and measures aimed at improving the convenience of entry and travel for foreign tourists shall continue to be implemented, and publicity and promotion of “immediate tax refund upon purchase” departure-tax-refund services shall be strengthened. Major domestic airlines and hub airports shall be encouraged to improve facilitation services for boarding, entry and transfer, and to strengthen guidance and assistance for passengers coming to China on international flights. Foreign-language signage and way-finding facilities in airports shall be improved, and hub airports are encouraged to provide rental services for portable translation devices. Mechanisms to simplify procedures at hub-airport level shall be established, and the coverage of international through-check flight services shall be expanded. III. Optimizing Tourism Routes and Service Facilities (6) Enhancing the accessibility of domestic tourism travel. More tourism cities shall be incorporated into the air-transport service network featuring connection between trunk and feeder routes and linkage across the entire network. Airlines shall be encouraged to open mutual flights between regional airports of popular tourist destinations, circular routes, “air-express” routes and border-tourism routes. Airlines shall be supported in increasing flights based on peak tourism seasons and seasonal travel needs such as study tours, parent-child tourism and ice-and-snow tourism, and in launching themed flights in conjunction with major cultural and tourism festivals, exhibitions and events. Flights for

Starting from November 20, 2025, foreigners traveling to China may submit their arrival information online before entering China through the official channels of the National Immigration Administration of China, including its government website, government service platform, the “Immigration 12367” mobile app, WeChat/Alipay mini-programs, or by scanning the arrival-card QR code on a mobile device. Foreigners who are unable to complete the online submission in advance may, upon arriving at a Chinese port of entry, submit their arrival information online by scanning a QR code with their mobile phone or using on-site smart devices, or alternatively complete a paper Foreigners’ Arrival Card. The following seven categories of foreigners are exempt from submitting the arrival information: 1.Holders of the People’s Republic of China Foreigner’s Permanent Residence ID Card;  2.Holders of the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (non-Chinese nationals); 3.Those holding group visas or eligible for group visa-free entry; 4.Those directly transiting for 24 hours without leaving the port’s restricted area; 5.Those entering or exiting by cruise ship and returning on the same cruise; 6.Those entering through a fast-track channel;  7.Foreign crew members of cross-border transportation vehicles. Website for Arrival Card submission:  https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/ QR code for Arrival Card submission: 

On November 25, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism released the mascot “Lucky Horse” for the 2026 “Happy Chinese New Year.” The “Lucky Horse” draws its design inspiration from the Eastern Han bronze galloping horse — “Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow” unearthed in Wuwei, Gansu. It adopts the mane decoration style of the Tang Dynasty’s piebald horses, uses Chinese red as the main color, and is embellished with classic traditional patterns such as auspicious cloud motifs and ruyi motifs, reflecting the warm and festive atmosphere of the Chinese Spring Festival. The image of the “Lucky Horse” was designed by the mascot design team of the Central Academy of Fine Arts for “Happy Chinese New Year.” China Tourism Group is responsible for the market development of the mascot and will successively launch cultural and creative products such as plush toys, blind boxes, and refrigerator magnets, as well as festival items such as Spring Festival couplets, red envelopes, and lanterns. The “Lucky Horse” image and related cultural products will be widely used in the 2026 “Happy Chinese New Year” events, bringing new highlights to Spring Festival celebrations around the world. The “Happy Chinese New Year” event is hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and has been held for 25 consecutive years since 2001. The “Happy Chinese New Year” mascots were officially introduced in 2023, using the Chinese zodiac as the core imagery to convey New Year blessings to the world.

From 14 to 16 November 2025, the 7th “UAE National Festival of Tolerance and Coexistence,” hosted by the UAE Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, was held at Umm Al Emarat Park in Abu Dhabi. The festival aimed to showcase the UAE’s spirit of diversity and inclusiveness and to promote cross-cultural exchange. China was invited to serve as the Guest Country of Honor for this edition. UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Sheikh Nahyan and Zhang Yiming, Chinese Ambassador to the UAE, attended the opening ceremony and delivered remarks. Thousands of participants, including members of the UAE royal family, senior government officials, diplomats from various countries in the UAE, and local residents, were present. To celebrate China serving as the Guest Country of Honor, the opening ceremony featured the screening of the themed video “China and the Arab World Hand in Hand,” produced by the UAE side. The stage performances and the Chinese cultural booth organized by the China Cultural Center in the UAE became highlights of the event. The Quanzhou Normal University Art Troupe presented Xinjiang Uyghur dance “Meshrep,” Nanyin pieces “Wind Hits the Pear” and “Galloping Horse,” and the dance “Zanhua Circle.” Among them, the Chinese ethnic dance medley “China Dancing Together” closely echoed the festival’s theme of “tolerance and coexistence,” vividly showcasing the diverse integration of Chinese ethnic cultures and leaving a strong impression on the audience. Sheikh Nahyan took the initiative to take photos with the performers. Martial arts enthusiasts from Abu Dhabi also performed balanced and powerful martial arts demonstrations, showcasing the cultural meaning of Chinese martial arts that values harmony, earning rounds of applause. As the Guest Country of Honor, the Chinese cultural booth decorated with big red lanterns and Chinese knots was placed in the first position among all national booths and became a key “check-in spot.” Visitors actively asked questions about posters featuring Chinese culture and videos of tourist destinations. The interactive “Quiz and Win” area attracted enthusiastic participation. A Chinese calligraphy teacher wrote Chinese names for visitors on site, conveying friendship through brush and ink. The Chinese-style snack area served Chinese desserts and milk tea, allowing guests to taste oriental flavors, with Chinese milk tea becoming a popular item at the event. On 16 November, as the concluding program of the Festival of Tolerance and Coexistence, the Guest Country of Honor tree-planting event was held at the “Garden of Tolerance” in Abu Dhabi. Ambassador Zhang Yiming and Sheikh Nahyan jointly planted trees representing China and the UAE, symbolizing the everlasting friendship between the two countries and expressing the shared hope of promoting mutual learning and exchange among civilizations.