At the turn of the year, Beijing hosted a spectacular series of cultural, commercial, tourism, sports, and exhibition events under the theme "Bells and Drums Resound, A Splendid Journey into the New Year." In the Olympic Green Central Area, the domestic main venue for the "2026 Vienna New Year's Concert" was, for the first time, located at the China National Convention Center, a subsidiary of the Beichen Group. A musical feast that spanned New Year's Eve and connected with the globe accompanied the citizens of Beijing as they welcomed the new year in the "National Reception Hall."
As a globally recognized cultural symbol of the New Year, the Vienna New Year's Concert has been a warm memory accompanying three generations of Chinese as they bid farewell to the old and welcome the new, ever since China Central Television first presented it to Chinese audiences in 1987. This year, China Central Television not only broadcast the Vienna New Year's Concert live to the world but also meticulously planned five "CMG Music · National Reception Hall Chinese Rhythms New Year Concerts," along with a multi-platform live broadcast on New Year's Day titled "The World Celebrates the New Year Together – 2026 Vienna New Year's Concert." Six high-quality concerts, numerous renowned hosts, over a hundred cross-sector guests, and hundreds of New Year gifts accompanied audiences nationwide in embarking on the journey of 2026. As the core warm-up events of the series, three "CMG Music · 'National Reception Hall Chinese Rhythms' New Year Concerts" were performed from December 29 to 31 at Phase II of the China National Convention Center, serving as a splendid prelude to the New Year's music gala.
This cross-sector event, combining "Chinese landmark with world music," was a New Year masterpiece co-created by the Beichen Group, China Central Television, and the China Philharmonic Orchestra. Since its establishment in 2000, the China Philharmonic Orchestra, as a national-level symphony orchestra, has over more than two decades risen to become one of the world's renowned symphony orchestras, serving as a brilliant cultural ambassador promoting Chinese symphonic music and telling China's story to the world. This event not only infused a touch of elegance into Beijing's integrated "cultural, commercial, tourism, sports, and exhibition" ecosystem but also, through an online and offline interactive communication model, transcended spatial limitations to ignite the New Year spirit across the city and the entire nation.
Notably, CCTV specially invited host Yang Xu skillfully emceed the event, while young conductor Yu Ji led the China Philharmonic Orchestra with its peak lineup in performances. From the light and spirited "Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka" and the romantic elegance of "Waltz of the Flowers," to the rich ethnic flavor of "Yao Dance," the stirring grandeur of "The Red Detachment of Women," and the timeless charm of "Haixia Suite," a repertoire of classic pieces from both East and West unfolded like a scroll, playing in succession. At 9 PM on December 31, the finale, the "Can-Can," resounded with its lively melody and passionate rhythm, bringing the atmosphere to a climax. It drew a perfect close to 2025 and melted the audience's hopes and expectations for the new year into the excitement and joy inspired by the art, becoming the most cherished memory of New Year's Eve.
This concert not only marked the debut of the "National Reception Hall Chinese Rhythms" New Year concert brand innovatively created by Phase II of the China National Convention Center, but also represented an important practice in hosting top-tier cultural IP and enriching the capital's New Year cultural offerings. As a benchmark for world-class convention and exhibition complexes, Phase II of the China National Convention Center, known as the "National Reception Hall," stands tall in Beijing with its "roc spreading wings" design, embracing the world with grandeur and exemplifying China's open and inclusive demeanor—a perfect complement to the concert's character. For the first time joining forces with the world-class classical music IP of the Vienna New Year's Concert, the venue leveraged its column-free grand hall to create a bespoke acoustic space, allowing the grandeur of the architecture and the agility of the music to achieve a perfect fusion.
Over the past year, the China National Convention Center has successfully introduced diverse business formats including high-end fashion shows, international art exhibitions, and professional sports events, evolving into an "urban cultural reception hall" and a "new landmark for high-end arts" that integrates international exchanges, artistic performances, and consumer experiences. This has injected fresh vitality into Beijing's development as an international consumption center city, while also adding new momentum to showcasing the capital's open and inclusive urban image and enhancing its cultural soft power.
Looking ahead, the Beichen Group and its convention and exhibition venues will continue to respond to Beijing's urban development strategy requirements, upgrading the "Exhibition +" ecological service system and deeply integrating high-end exhibition services, cultural displays, and commercial consumption. While safeguarding major international exchange events and empowering regional economic development, they will continue to create more cultural activities that combine artistic excellence with public appeal, contributing to Beijing's development as an international exchange center and an international consumption center city.
