The 2026 Fujian Spring Festival Gala achieved a groundbreaking milestone on February 17th by simultaneously connecting three culturally significant locations through a spectacular tri-location broadcast. Under the thematic banner “Winds Across the Miles, Spring Light We Share,” the production creatively intertwined Fujian province, Taiwan region, and Malaysia’s historical city of Malacca in an unprecedented cultural convergence.
The gala masterfully highlighted Fujian’s dual role as both a crucial hub on the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road and a pioneering zone for cross-Strait integration. The production design featured innovative ribbon screens and modular display panels that fluidly transitioned between distinctive architectural landscapes: southern Fujian’s characteristic red-brick dwellings, Taipei’s modern 101 skyscraper skyline, and Malacca’s vibrant Jonker Street.
Performance segments powerfully demonstrated shared cultural heritage through synchronized traditional arts. The Quanzhou Song Jiang Battle Formation, Taiwan’s Douzhen Drum performance, and Malaysia’s 24 Festive Drums created a thunderous rhythmic unity that visually and audibly represented common ancestral connections.
Personal narratives enriched the cultural tapestry, with Taiwanese host Yang Pin-hua noting the culinary connections between Fuzhou and Taipei, while Malaysian host Juin Teh expressed emotional connections to Fujian-style architecture preserved in Malacca. The dramatic vignette “Reunion” poignantly recounted the story of Fuzhou-born hero Wu Shi, featuring actress Lyu Chenyue performing a traditional Fujian lullaby.
The Malacca segment showcased the story of Gan Tian Loo and his father’s preservation of Chinese heritage streets, exemplifying how overseas Fujianese communities maintain cultural roots while building intercultural bridges. Malaysian singer Ah Niu’s medley creatively fused “Rasa Sayang” and “Peach Blossoms Bloom” with diverse performance elements including Peranakan dance, high-pole lion dance, and martial arts.
Notable musical collaborations included a special anniversary performance of “Ningxia” commemorating 30 years of Fujian-Ningxia cooperation, reinterpreted by actress Yao Chen alongside children from Minning No 1 Primary School. The gala concluded with an updated version of the viral 2025 hit “Calm and Composed” by Wang Bo and Xiamen’s Black Cat Cross-Strait Youth Band, blending youthful voices from both sides of the Strait.
The event received significant international recognition, with Malaysian Ambassador to China Dato’ Norman Muhamad praising the production as an effective “cultural bridge” strengthening bilateral relations.