The ''CMG New Year's Gala'', formerly known as the ''CCTV New Year's Gala'', also known as the ''Spring Festival Gala'', and commonly abbreviated in Chinese as ''Chunwan'' (), is a
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival (see also #Names, § Names), is a festival that celebrates the beginning of a New Year, new year on the traditional lunisolar calendar, lunisolar Chinese calendar. It is one of the most important holi ...
special produced by
China Media Group
China Media Group () also known as Voice of China, is the predominant state media company by means of radio and television broadcasting in the People's Republic of China. It was founded on 21 March 2018, as a fusion of all state-holding med ...
(CMG). It is broadcast annually on the
Chinese New Year's Eve
Chinese New Year's Eve is the day before the Chinese New Year. The holiday falls between January 21 and February 20 on the Gregorian calendar. Evolving over a long period of time, it is considered a reunion day for every ethnic Chinese family. The ...
on its flagship
CCTV-1
CCTV-1 (CCTV General Channel) is the primary channel of CCTV, the national flagship terrestrial television network of the People's Republic of China. It broadcasts a range of programs from CCTV Headquarters at East 3rd Ring Road in Beijing and ...
and internationally through the
China Global Television Network
China Global Television Network (CGTN) is one of three branches of state-run China Media Group and the international division of China Central Television (CCTV). Headquartered in Beijing, CGTN broadcasts news in multiple languages. CGTN is u ...
The ''Gala'' has the largest audience of any entertainment show in the world, and is recognized by
Guinness World Records
''Guinness World Records'', known from its inception in 1955 until 1999 as ''The Guinness Book of Records'' and in previous United States editions as ''The Guinness Book of World Records'', is a British reference book published annually, list ...
as the world's most watched television program.
The 2018 edition of the ''Gala'' attracted more than one billion viewers.
The program is a
variety show
Variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is entertainment made up of a variety of acts including musical performances, sketch comedy, magic, acrobatics, juggling, and ventriloquism. It is normally introduced by a comp� ...
, often featuring music, dance, comedy, and drama performances. It has become a ritual for many Chinese families, including
overseas Chinese
Overseas Chinese people are Chinese people, people of Chinese origin who reside outside Greater China (mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan). As of 2011, there were over 40.3 million overseas Chinese. As of 2023, there were 10.5 milli ...
, to watch the show on Chinese New Year's Eve. Many ''Chunwan'' performers have emerged as household names in China solely as a result of their recurring appearances on the program.
History
In the early 1980s, CCTV director
Huang Yihe proposed the idea of hosting a televised party to celebrate the
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival (see also #Names, § Names), is a festival that celebrates the beginning of a New Year, new year on the traditional lunisolar calendar, lunisolar Chinese calendar. It is one of the most important holi ...
, and the first ''CCTV New Year's Gala'' aired in 1983.
Operating on a very low budget, Huang was given a studio of , which could accommodate only 60 staff members and 200 guests.
With no money for recording and editing, the show was improvised and broadcast live. It was hosted by
Liu Xiaoqing
Liu Xiaoqing (born 30 October 1950) is a Chinese actress and businesswoman. One of the leading actresses in China in the 1980s, she is known for her roles in the films ''The'' ''Little Flower'' (1979)'', Reign Behind a Curtain'' (1983)'', The ...
,
Ma Ji
Ma Ji (; 2 August 1934 – 20 December 2006), born Ma Shuhuai (), was a Chinese xiangsheng comedian. He was one of his generation's most popular and influential xiangsheng performers and was mentor to many younger performers, including Jiang Kun ...
,
Jiang Kun, and
Wang Jingyu
Wang may refer to:
Names
* Wang (surname) (王), a common Chinese surname
* Wāng (汪), a less common Chinese surname
* Titles in Chinese nobility
* A title in Korean nobility
* A title in Mongolian nobility
Places
* Wang River in Thailand ...
, and the studio had four telephones accepting live requests from callers nationwide.
The popular singer
Li Guyi ended the night with nine performances, and the cohost Jiang Kun performed three ''
xiangsheng
Xiangsheng (), also known as crosstalk or comic dialog, is a traditional performing art in Chinese comedy, and one of the most popular elements in Chinese culture. It is typically performed as a dialog between two performers, or rarely as a ...
'' comedies.
Huang and his colleagues took considerable political risk broadcasting the live show, as pop singers such as Li Guyi were at the time under attack by hardliners as "
spiritual pollution", and one of her most popular songs, ''Hometown Love'' (乡恋), was still officially banned.
With the permission from
Wu Lengxi
Wu may refer to:
Places
* Wu (region) (), a region roughly corresponding to the territory of Wuyue
** Wu Chinese (), a subgroup of Chinese languages now spoken in the Wu region
** Wuyue culture (), a regional Chinese culture in the Wu region
*Wu ...
, the Minister of Radio and Television who was in the audience, Li Guyi performed the song for the first time on national TV.
After the first New Year Gala proved a huge hit with viewers nationwide, Wu was tasked with directing the second edition. At the time, China and Britain were under intense negotiation over the
Sino-British Joint Declaration
The Sino-British Joint Declaration was a treaty between the governments of the United Kingdom and People's Republic of China signed in 1984 setting the conditions in which Hong Kong was transferred to Chinese control and for the governance o ...
on the status of Hong Kong. Huang came up with the idea of inviting the amateur Hong Kong singer
Cheung Ming-man
Cheung Ming-man (; born 2 September 1956) is a Hong Kong singer and occasional actor, best known for many patriotic songs he sang in the 1980s, all in Mandarin. He became the first Hong Kong singer to sing at the CCTV New Year's Gala, China's mo ...
to perform at his show.
It was then unprecedented for a Hong Kong entertainer to perform on Chinese TV and his request met significant resistance. Huang persistently lobbied government officials and eventually gained their approval. Cheung's performance of the patriotic song "
My Chinese Heart
"My Chinese Heart" () is a Chinese patriotic song. The lyrics were written by James Wong in 1982 in protest of the falsifying of information on the Second Sino-Japanese War in Japanese History books by the Japanese Ministry of Education, as well a ...
" at the 1984 gala made him a household name in China.
The program has attracted extremely large audiences, which have grown significantly over the years. The ''CCTV New Year's Gala'' is the most watched television program in the world, with one billion viewers in 2018.
As the Chinese New Year's Eve is a time when the family gathers, the typical situation involves a large 3-generation family gathered in front of their TV set while making dumplings for the first New Year's meal. The ''Gala'' adds a mood of celebration in the house as people laugh, discuss and enjoy the performance. It has become an ingrained tradition on mainland China to watch the ''New Year's Gala'' on New Year's Eve. Rural areas that had previously been unfamiliar with concepts such as television would hold great gatherings on New Year's Eve to watch the program.
In 2011,
Dashan
Mark Henry Rowswell, CM (born May 23, 1965), known by his Chinese stage name Dashan (), is a Canadian performer and television personality who gained prominence in China. He became known in the late 1980s through regular appearances on China C ...
made another appearance in the gala, alongside several foreign nationals of various ages, all engaging in fluent Mandarin conversation, including one of Russian nationality, an Australian and a Kenyan. The 2011 show was also noted for the appearances of various "ordinary people" performers who were selected by popular vote in a TV competition months prior.
The 'ordinary people' portrayals continued in 2012; several amateurs performed on the show. Coinciding with the rise of amateur performers is the decline of nationalist and political rhetoric. In both 2011 and 2012 versions of the ''Gala'', imagery of national leaders were removed from the show. The 2012 gala was directed by
Ha Wen
Ha Wen (; born April 13, 1969) is a Chinese television producer and director of Hui heritage. Biography
Ha was born in Wuzhong, Ningxia; her father came from Benxi, Liaoning province. She works for China Central Television (CCTV) and is most f ...
, wife of host
Li Yong. In a break with tradition, the 2012 ''Gala'' removed the announcements of embassies overseas sending New Year's greetings, as well as the "My Favorite New Year's Gala Act" voting announcement. It also did not conclude with a rendition of "Can't Forget Tonight", thus breaking the practice for the first time.
Beginning in the 1990s, the Gala has been broadcast to the
Chinese diaspora
Overseas Chinese people are people of Chinese origin who reside outside Greater China (mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan). As of 2011, there were over 40.3 million overseas Chinese. As of 2023, there were 10.5 million people livin ...
and millions of television viewers around the world on
CCTV-4
CCTV-4 is a Chinese free-to-air television channel. It is one of six China Central Television channels that broadcasts outside of China. It airs a variety of programmes, including documentaries, music, news, drama series, sports and children's ...
with dedicated simulcasts for foreign viewers on the
CGTN
China Global Television Network (CGTN) is one of three branches of state-run China Media Group and the international division of China Central Television (CCTV). Headquartered in Beijing, CGTN broadcasts news in multiple languages. CGTN is un ...
network since 2016.
The Gala marked its pearl jubilee in 2013 and its ruby jubilee in 2023. Its 2008 silver jubilee edition also added up to the hype and excitement regarding the
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics (), officially the Games of the XXIX Olympiad () and officially branded as Beijing 2008 (), were an international multisport event held from 8 to 24 August 2008, in Beijing, China. A total of 10,942 athletes fr ...
, CCTV being official national broadcaster of the Games.
Politics
In the early days of the ''Gala'' in the 1980s, the show focused almost entirely on arts and entertainment. Programming that was chiefly political in nature was very rare, reflecting the general openness of Chinese society in the 1980s and the departure of
Maoist
Maoism, officially Mao Zedong Thought, is a variety of Marxism–Leninism that Mao Zedong developed while trying to realize a socialist revolution in the agricultural, pre-industrial society of the Republic of China (1912–1949), Republic o ...
political dogma from the lives of ordinary people. Communist Party leaders took an interest in the show as early as 1984, when then-General Secretary
Hu Yaobang
Hu Yaobang (20 November 1915 – 15 April 1989) was a Chinese politician who was a high-ranking official of the People's Republic of China. He held the Leader of the Chinese Communist Party, top office of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from ...
watched the show and resolved to learn how to sing "My Chinese Heart" by singer
Cheung Ming-man
Cheung Ming-man (; born 2 September 1956) is a Hong Kong singer and occasional actor, best known for many patriotic songs he sang in the 1980s, all in Mandarin. He became the first Hong Kong singer to sing at the CCTV New Year's Gala, China's mo ...
. Then, in 1990, Communist Party General Secretary
Jiang Zemin
Jiang Zemin (17 August 1926 – 30 November 2022) was a Chinese politician who served as General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from 1989 to 2002, as Chairman of the Central Mil ...
and Premier
Li Peng
Li Peng (; 20 October 1928 – 22 July 2019) was a Chinese politician who served as the 4th premier of China from 1987 to 1998, and as the chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislative body, from ...
appeared on the show, ostensibly to participate in the celebration rather than disseminate a political agenda; Jiang gave a speech expressing his well-wishes.
This six-minute live segment was the only instance national leaders participated in the program in its history.
Programming with heavy political undertones began appearing in the gala in the 1990s. As audiences grew, the show became a ritualized event of national significance and experienced increased state involvement in its production. Often, segments of the show became devoted to celebrating the previous year's "national achievements" and a preview of significant events of the upcoming year. In 2008, state media reported that major officials from the
Publicity Department of the Chinese Communist Party
The Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, also known as the Propaganda Department or Central Propaganda Department, is an internal division of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ...
and the
State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television
The National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) is a ministry-level executive agency controlled by the Central Propaganda Department of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Its main task is the administration and supervision of state-own ...
were on scene during the gala's rehearsal to supervise its production. In that same year, a segment featuring migrant workers was inserted into the show on the recommendation of Premier
Wen Jiabao
Wen Jiabao ( zh, s=温家宝, p=Wēn Jiābǎo; born 15 September 1942) is a Chinese retired politician who served as the 6th premier of China from 2003 to 2013. In his capacity as head of government, Wen was regarded as the leading figure behin ...
.
[
Throughout the years, officials in charge of propaganda and media control, including ]Ding Guangen
Ding Guangen (; September 1929 – July 22, 2012) was a Chinese politician who served in senior leadership roles in the Chinese Communist Party during the 1990s. He was a member of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party between 1992 and ...
, Li Changchun
Li Changchun (born February 1, 1944) is a retired Chinese politician and a former senior leader of the Chinese Communist Party. He served on the Politburo Standing Committee, the party's top leadership council, and as the top official in charge ...
, and Liu Yunshan
Liu Yunshan (; zh, s=刘云山, t=劉雲山, p=Liú Yúnshān; born July 1947) is a retired Chinese politician. He was a member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, the top decision-making body of the CCP, between 2 ...
, have paid visits to the ''Chunwan'' production team. Commenting on the political evolution of the ''Gala'' over the years, '' Takungpao'' said that ''Chunwan'' has evolved from a "year-end tea party" to a "conference for disseminating political propaganda.[
]
Imagery of party leadership
Beginning in the 1990s, the show has consistently included one segment featuring a video montage of Communist Party leaders accompanied by background music. Shown every year were images of those considered paramount leader
Paramount leader () is an informal term for the most important Supreme leader, political figure in the China, People's Republic of China (PRC). The paramount leader typically controls the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the People's Liberatio ...
s, including Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong pronounced ; traditionally Romanization of Chinese, romanised as Mao Tse-tung. (26December 18939September 1976) was a Chinese politician, revolutionary, and political theorist who founded the People's Republic of China (PRC) in ...
, Deng Xiaoping
Deng Xiaoping also Romanization of Chinese, romanised as Teng Hsiao-p'ing; born Xiansheng (). (22 August 190419 February 1997) was a Chinese statesman, revolutionary, and political theorist who served as the paramount leader of the People's R ...
, Jiang Zemin
Jiang Zemin (17 August 1926 – 30 November 2022) was a Chinese politician who served as General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from 1989 to 2002, as Chairman of the Central Mil ...
, and Hu Jintao
Hu Jintao (born 21 December 1942) is a Chinese retired politician who served as the general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from 2002 to 2012, the president of China from 2003 to 2013, and chairman of the Central Military Comm ...
. In 2007 and 2008, the video footage featured the entire line-up of Politburo Standing Committee
The Politburo Standing Committee (PSC), officially the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, is a committee consisting of the top leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) an ...
members. Between 2011 and 2014, imagery of national leaders were absent from the show, and the amount of political content varied from year to year. For example, the 2011 show featured a rendition of a patriotic song that emphasized Hu Jintao's Harmonious Society
The Harmonious Society (also known as Socialist Harmonious Society) is a socioeconomic concept in China that is recognized as a response to the increasing alleged social injustice and inequality emerging in mainland Chinese society as a result ...
and Scientific Development Concept
The Scientific Outlook on Development was a political doctrine of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), credited to former Chinese leader Hu Jintao and his administration, who was in power from 2002 to 2012. The Scientific Outlook on Development i ...
ideologies. In 2012 there was minimal political content, though parts of the show alluded to "building a strong nation" and the 18th Party Congress which was to be held in the fall of that year. The 2014 show, however, was again peppered with political enhancements throughout that paid homage to General Secretary
Secretary is a title often used in organizations to indicate a person having a certain amount of authority, Power (social and political), power, or importance in the organization. Secretaries announce important events and communicate to the org ...
Xi Jinping
Xi Jinping, pronounced (born 15 June 1953) is a Chinese politician who has been the general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (China), chairman of the Central Military Commission ...
's "Chinese Dream
The Chinese Dream, also called the China Dream, is a term closely associated with Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and China's paramount leader. Xi began promoting the phrase as a slogan during a high-profil ...
" ideology, in addition to several nationalistic-themed songs. The 2015 show, reportedly one of the most closely managed affairs in years, prominently featured Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign, with three comedy routines being linked to the theme. In addition, in a remarkable departure from convention, the 2015 show also featured Xi Jinping exclusively in a lengthy video montage during an opera-style song entitled "Give my Heart to You". The heavy emphasis on political content continued in 2016; that edition, believed to be one of the most political affairs since the show's inception, saw a return of the more familiar line-up of national leaders. Since 2017, however, the gala has not shown imagery of national leaders, opting instead of showcase various aspects of economic development or nationalist themes.
Military
The People's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is the military of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the People's Republic of China (PRC). It consists of four Military branch, services—People's Liberation Army Ground Force, Ground Force, People's ...
is featured in the show's programming every year, usually in the form of a song, although sometimes military-themed sketch comedies have also appeared. Many of the Gala's most prominent singers have a background in the performing arts troupe of the PLA, including Yan Weiwen, Song Zuying
Song Zuying (; born August 13, 1966) is a Chinese classical/folk singer. In 2006, she received a Grammy nomination for Best Classical Crossover Album for ''Song Zu Ying: The Diva Goes To The Movies'' at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards.
Early li ...
, Dong Wenhua
Dong Wenhua (born June 29, 1962) is a Chinese singer of the People's Liberation Army. "Moon of the Fifteenth", " Story of Spring", as well as many other songs of hers were popular to the youth generation of the 1980s and the early 1990s. In Ame ...
and Peng Liyuan
Peng Liyuan (; born 20 November 1962) is a Chinese contemporary folk singer and the wife of Xi Jinping, current General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and President of China.
Peng gained popularity as a singer from her regular appear ...
.[
]
Controversies
Workers Arena lighting effects (1985)
In 1985, the gala was held in the Workers Indoor Arena
The Workers' Gymnasium (official name) is an indoor arena located west of the Workers' Stadium in Beijing, China. It was inaugurated in 1961 for the 26th World Table Tennis Championships.
It hosted the Boxing at the 2008 Summer Olympics, boxi ...
. It had a live audience dispersed throughout the arena. Production staff were not equipped with walkie-talkies, so they improvised their communication with artists, running around or gesturing from a distance to give cues. This made the show appear uncoordinated and exceptionally slow on television; the edition lasted over six hours and remains the longest gala on record. The live audience was also milling about the arena for the duration of the show, which was distracting and noisy for the television audience. It was most strongly criticized for its poor lighting effects that made the stage difficult to see.
Chen Peisi sues CCTV distributor (1998)
Chen Peisi and his artistic collaborator Zhu Shimao
Zhu Shimao (; born 28 March 1954) is a Chinese comedian, sketch actor, and actor. Zhu's partner is Chen Peisi.
Biography
In 1954, Zhu was born in Linyi, Shandong. Zhu joined the Chinese People's Liberation Army, he worked as an actor in the Fuz ...
were household names in the 1990s, partly owing to their appearances on the gala. After their hit sketch piece in the 1998 show, a subsidiary of CCTV distributed their performances on VCD
Video CD (abbreviated as VCD, and also known as Compact Disc Digital Video), (not to be confused with CD Video which is a type of LaserDisc, Laserdisc) is a home video format and the first format for distributing films on standard optical di ...
without gaining the pair's permission in advance. In 2000, Chen and Zhu sued the subsidiary and won; the court ordered restitution and rescinded their rights to Chen and Zhu's work. Thereafter, Chen and Zhu never appeared on the gala again.
Dark three minutes (2007)
In the 2007 edition, just before the clock struck midnight, the six hosts of the show assembled on stage suffered a mass breakdown referred to as the "dark three minutes". Zhu Jun, Zhou Tao, Li Yong, Dong Qing
Dong Qing (; born 17 November 1973) is a Chinese television host. From 2005 to 2017, she hosted the annual CCTV New Year's Gala.
She won the Golden Mike Award's for Television in 2001 and 2006, and received Golden Eagle Award for Best Programme ...
, Zhang Zequn and Liu Fangfei collectively started a chain of misread and mistimed lines. Zhang Zequn was the first to read his lines incorrectly, obviously reciting the wrong ''chunlian
''Fai chun'' () or ''chunlian'' () is a traditional decoration that is frequently used during Chinese New Year. People put ''fai chun'' in doorways to create an optimistic festive atmosphere, since the phrases written on them refer to good lu ...
'', although the audience still applauded. Li Yong then mentioned the transition from the year ''bingxu'' (year of the dog) to ''dinghai'' (year of the pig) and a greeting to "mother comrades across the country" before being cut off by Zhu Jun's loud declaration that the new year had almost arrived. Liu Fangfei, who was relatively new to the gala, then read a line that was obviously incomplete, followed by seconds of dead air
Dead air, also known as unmodulated carrier, is an unintended period of silence that interrupts a broadcast during which no audio or video program material is transmitted.
Radio and television
Dead air occurs in radio broadcasting when no audio ...
. Zhou Tao tried following it up, only to be interrupted by Li Yong. Zhou then gave Li Yong an annoyed stare, obviously visible as the camera was focused on her. Zhu Jun then interrupted Li Yong again, only to be in turn interrupted by Zhou Tao before the ten-second countdown began. Host Zhang Zequn apologized for the incident on his CCTV blog.
Role of women in society (2015)
Some observers have criticized the ''Gala'' for resisting larger trends in Chinese society, such as the increased role of women in society and changing gender norms. The 2015 skit "Goddesses and Tomboys" (女神和女汉子), led by Jia Ling
Jia Ling ( zh, s=贾玲, born Jia Yuling 贾俞玲; ) is a Chinese comedian, film actress, actress, and filmmaker. She rose to fame as a Xiangsheng, crosstalk performer at the CMG New Year's Gala, 2010 CCTV Spring Festival Gala and became a come ...
, faced particular derision online for its portrayal of strong female roles in society and its insensitive depiction of the "''sheng nu Sheng may refer to:
Chinese culture
* Sheng (instrument) (笙), a Chinese wind instrument
* Sheng (surname) (盛), a Chinese surname
* Sheng (Chinese opera), a major role in Chinese opera
* Sheng (volume) (升), ancient Chinese units of measureme ...
''" phenomenon.
Ugly monkey (2016)
In 2016, the ''Gala'' was criticized for planning to include a "virtual mascot", modeled in 3D based on a painting of a monkey by Han Meilin
Han Meilin (; born December 26, 1936, in Jinan, ShandongHanban.edu.Hanban.edu." ''Profile of the artist.'' Retrieved on 2008-04-27.Xinhuanet." ''韓美林作品選(圖).'' Retrieved on 2008-04-27.) is a Chinese artist most recognized today for hi ...
that was described as "a monster" and "ugly" by many. The digital mascot was also mocked on various Chinese social networks.
Blackface (2018)
The 2018 edition was criticized for a comedy skit focusing on Africa–China relations
Sino–African relations, also referred to as Africa–China relations or Afro–Chinese relations, are the historical, political, economic, military, social, and cultural connections between China and the African continent.
Little is known ...
, and in particular, China's investments in African railways. The skit featured Chinese actress Lou Naiming wearing blackface
Blackface is the practice of performers using burned cork, shoe polish, or theatrical makeup to portray a caricature of black people on stage or in entertainment. Scholarship on the origins or definition of blackface vary with some taking a glo ...
and a prosthetic buttocks to portray the mother of an African woman. The woman had asked the host to pose as her husband so she wouldn't be subjected to an arranged date. However, after the host exposed the ruse by introducing her wife, the woman's mother excuses it, declaring her love for China and its people. The skit was ridiculed by viewers and social media, especially among local groups and diaspora
A diaspora ( ) is a population that is scattered across regions which are separate from its geographic place of birth, place of origin. The word is used in reference to people who identify with a specific geographic location, but currently resi ...
, for its invocation of African stereotypes.
Absence of pig imagery
The 2007 and 2019 editions, despite celebrating the year of the pig in the Chinese zodiac, eschewed nearly all imagery and language invoking pigs. Some suspected this was due to official sensitivities shown towards Muslim minority groups in China (and in the latter case possibly due to an outbreak of African swine fever
African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a large, double-stranded DNA virus in the '' Asfarviridae'' family. It is the causative agent of African swine fever (ASF). The virus causes a hemorrhagic fever with high mortality rates in domestic pigs; ...
).
Blackface (2021)
The 2021 show again featured performers in blackface wearing approximations of African clothing. Like in 2018 it received criticism both within China and internationally. The Chinese foreign ministry responded to criticism by saying that it was not an issue and that anyone saying otherwise must have ulterior motives.
Ethnic minorities (2025)
The 2025 gala featured no ethnic minorities
The term "minority group" has different meanings, depending on the context. According to common usage, it can be defined simply as a group in society with the least number of individuals, or less than half of a population. Usually a minority g ...
compared to previous years. It also featured an American band for the first time and a celebration of the Port of Chancay.
Directors and performers
Directors and hosts
Notes for rating and viewers data
*2001–2014 Data source: CSM Media Research.
Recurring Performers
As the program is watched by more Chinese than any other program, not just from China itself but also from overseas Chinese and viewers abroad via CCTV's international channels, a performance in the New Year's Gala could propel a relatively unknown name into household talk and national celebrity (and possible international hit status and social media stardom) overnight. Since the beginning of this program many great stars of Chinese pop music have been discovered, comedians started their careers, and Taiwan and Hong Kong singers earning not just exposure to mainland viewers but also attention from fans around the world watching the ''Gala'' live or on demand. An appearance by any major Mandopop star on the Gala will expose his or her music to overseas audiences, a newcomer's first song in the program guarantees not just fame and stardom but also a fanbase of millions of TV and online viewers.
The following is a list of people who have gained their fame largely from their performances at the ''Gala'', or whose names have become frequently associated with the ''Gala'' through the years. This list is not to be confused with the "guest stars" list below, which identifies celebrities who were famous in their own right prior to their appearance at the ''Gala''. These individuals have been part of the Gala's long history, and are very much the people that many viewers remember from past editions.
*Zhao Benshan
Zhao Benshan ( zh, s=赵本山, t=趙本山, p=Zhào Běnshān; born 2 October 1957) is a Chinese skit and sitcom actor, comedian, television director, and businessman. Originally from Liaoning province, Zhao has appeared on the CCTV New Year's ...
; Gao Xiumin; Fan Wei; – skits, 1990s – 2010s; Xiaoshenyang
Shen He (; born 7 May 1981), better known by his stage name Xiaoshenyang (), is a Chinese actor. He was a student of Zhao Benshan and was an errenzhuan performer before joining the film and television industry.
Xiaoshenyang became famous immedia ...
– 2009
*Song Dandan
Song Dandan (; born 25 August 1961) is a Chinese skit and sitcom actress.
Biography
Song was born in Beijing, on August 25, 1961, to a highly educated family. Her father Song Gong () was vice chairman of Beijing Federation of Literary and Art ...
; Chen Peisi; Zhu Shimao
Zhu Shimao (; born 28 March 1954) is a Chinese comedian, sketch actor, and actor. Zhu's partner is Chen Peisi.
Biography
In 1954, Zhu was born in Linyi, Shandong. Zhu joined the Chinese People's Liberation Army, he worked as an actor in the Fuz ...
– skits, 1990s
* Guo Da, Cai Ming, Pan Changjiang, Huang Hong, Guo Donglin
Guo Donglin (; born 18 October 1966) is a Chinese actor and xiangsheng performer.
He is notable for performing xiangsheng and sketch comedy in CCTV New Year's Gala from 1993 to 2017.
In the 2017 New Year's Gala, Guo played in a sketch in which ...
, Gong Hanlin – skits, 1990s – 2010s
*Jia Ling
Jia Ling ( zh, s=贾玲, born Jia Yuling 贾俞玲; ) is a Chinese comedian, film actress, actress, and filmmaker. She rose to fame as a Xiangsheng, crosstalk performer at the CMG New Year's Gala, 2010 CCTV Spring Festival Gala and became a come ...
– skits, 2010s – 2020s
*Feng Gong
Feng Gong (; born 6 December 1957) is a Chinese actor, xiangsheng performer, director, screenwriter and politician. He is best known for his performances in the annual CCTV New Year's Gala, having made more appearances on the show than every o ...
and Niu Qun – xiangsheng, 1990s – 2000s (decade)
*Ma Ji
Ma Ji (; 2 August 1934 – 20 December 2006), born Ma Shuhuai (), was a Chinese xiangsheng comedian. He was one of his generation's most popular and influential xiangsheng performers and was mentor to many younger performers, including Jiang Kun ...
, Jiang Kun – xiangsheng
*Dashan
Mark Henry Rowswell, CM (born May 23, 1965), known by his Chinese stage name Dashan (), is a Canadian performer and television personality who gained prominence in China. He became known in the late 1980s through regular appearances on China C ...
(stage name of Canadian Mark Rowswell), gained his fame through the Gala, 1990s – 2010s
*Song Zuying
Song Zuying (; born August 13, 1966) is a Chinese classical/folk singer. In 2006, she received a Grammy nomination for Best Classical Crossover Album for ''Song Zu Ying: The Diva Goes To The Movies'' at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards.
Early li ...
, Peng Liyuan
Peng Liyuan (; born 20 November 1962) is a Chinese contemporary folk singer and the wife of Xi Jinping, current General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and President of China.
Peng gained popularity as a singer from her regular appear ...
, Dong Wenhua
Dong Wenhua (born June 29, 1962) is a Chinese singer of the People's Liberation Army. "Moon of the Fifteenth", " Story of Spring", as well as many other songs of hers were popular to the youth generation of the 1980s and the early 1990s. In Ame ...
, Mao Amin, Zhang Ye, Han Lei
Han Lei (; born February 23, 1968), also known in Mongolian as Senbor, is a Chinese folk and pop singer-songwriter.
Music Appearance
Han rose to prominence in 1997 on the CCTV New Year's Gala, performing a song called "1997, A.D." (公元一� ...
, Jiang Dawei, Yan Weiwen, Yin Xiumei; folk and opera singers, 1990s – 2010s
* Li Guyi, usually the performer of the last segment of the evening, "Nanwang Jinxiao" ("Tonight is Unforgettable")
Guest appearances
These performers have made appearances at the ''Gala''. They are listed by alphabetical order (by their last name, or if they perform under an artistic name, by that name) based on the common name they are known by internationally.
* A-do
Du Chengyi (), known professionally as A-du (阿杜; ), is a Singaporean singer.
Career
Du was a construction foreman before being spotted by Singaporean producer Billy Koh in his company's talent search and was signed to Ocean Butterflies ...
(duet with Zhao Wei
Zhao Wei (; born 12 March 1976), also known as Vicky Zhao or Vicki Zhao, is a Chinese nationality law, Chinese actress, singer, filmmaker, and businesswoman. Regarded as one of China's Four Dan Actresses, she rose to pan-Asian fame for her rol ...
in 2004)
* Abao (2006, 2014)
* Alilang Group, singing Doraji (2009)
* Angelababy
Angela Yeung Wing ( zh, s=杨颖, p=Yáng Yǐng; born 28 February 1989), better known by her stage name Angelababy, is a Chinese model and actress. In 2013, she was chosen by '' Southern Metropolis Entertainment Weekly'' as one of the New Fou ...
(2019)
* Ayanga
Ayanga (born 23 October 1989) is a Chinese theatre actor, singer, and songwriter of Mongolian ethnic background from Ordos City, Inner Mongolia, China.
Early life
Ayanga was born in Ordos City, Inner Mongolia, China. His parents were sheep h ...
(2016, 2019, 2020, 2021)
* Attraction (2014)
* Cai Chengyu (2020, 2022)
* Danny Chan
Danny Chan Pak-Keung (; 7 September 1958 – 25 October 1993) was a Hong Kong singer, songwriter and actor. One of the first Cantopop idols in Hong Kong, he gained fame alongside performers Alan Tam, Anita Mui, and Leslie Cheung, who wer ...
(2009)
* Eason Chan
Eason Chan Yick-shun ( zh, s=陈奕迅, t=陳奕迅, first=t, p=Chén Yìxùn; born 27 July 1974) is a Hong Kong singer and actor. He is one of the most popular and influential singers in both Cantopop and Mandopop. Besides holding the record ...
(2009, 2012, 2025)
* Jackie Chan
Fang Shilong (born Chan Kong-sang; 7 April 1954), known professionally as Jackie Chan,; is a Hong Kong actor and filmmaker, known for his slapstick, acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, and innovative stunts, which he typically perf ...
(1989; 1993; 2005; 2009; 2014; 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023)
* William Chan
William Chan Wai-ting (born 21 November 1985) is a Hong Kong singer, dancer and actor. In 2003, he participated in New Talent Singing Awards where he won several awards. He was then signed under Emperor Entertainment Group. He began his singing ...
(2017–2020)
* Angela Chang
Angela Zhang Shao-han (; born January 19, 1982), also known as Angela Chang, is a Taiwanese and Canadian singer and actress.
Zhang gained recognition with the Taiwanese television dramas ''My MVP Valentine'' (2002) and ''At Dolphin Bay'' (20 ...
(2007; 2008; 2020)
* Jeff Chang (2017)
* Chang Chen
Chang Chen (born 14 October 1976) is a Taiwanese actor. He is best known for his roles in '' A Brighter Summer Day'' (1991), '' Happy Together'' (1997), '' Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'' (2000), '' Three Times'' (2005), ''Brotherhood of Blad ...
(2015)
* Kelly Chen
Kelly Chen Wai-lam (born Vivian Chen Wai-man on 13 September 1972) is a Hong Kong singer and actress. She has been referred to as a " Diva of Asia" (). Chen has great success in the East Asian entertainment industry with nearly 20 million rec ...
(2019)
* Chen Kun
Chen Kun ( zh, s=陈坤; born February 4, 1976), sometimes credited as Aloys Chen, is a Chinese actor, singer and producer. He rose to fame for the television series '' Love Story in Shanghai'' (2001) and '' The Story of a Noble Family'' (2003). He ...
(2012; 2020)
* Charlene Choi
Charlene Choi Tsoek-jin ( zh, link=no, t=蔡卓妍; born 22 November 1982) is a Hong Kong and Canadian actress and singer. She is a member of Hong Kong pop duo Twins (group), Twins, along with Gillian Chung.
Early life
Choi was born in Vancouv ...
(2017)
* Cosmic Girls
WJSN (; ), also known as Cosmic Girls, is a South Korean girl group formed by Starship Entertainment and Yuehua Entertainment. The group is composed of ten members: Seola (singer), Seola, Bona (singer), Bona, Exy, Soobin, Luda (singer), Luda, ...
(2017)
* Cui Yongyuan
Cui Yongyuan (; born February 20, 1963) is a former Chinese TV host and professor at Communication University of China.
Cui rose to fame for hosting '' Tell It Like It Is'' on China Central Television (CCTV) from 1996 to 2002. His affable and ...
(1998; 2006; 2013)
* Jay Chou
Jay Chou Chieh-lun ( zh, s=周杰伦, t=周杰倫, first=t, p=Zhōu Jiélún; born 18 January 1979) is a Taiwanese singer-songwriter, actor, director, and businessman. Regarded as one of the most influential artists in the Chinese-speaking worl ...
(2008; 2009; 2011; 2018)
* Celine Dion
Céline Marie Claudette Dion (born 30 March 1968) is a Canadian singer. Referred to as the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Queen of Power Ballads", Dion's powerful, technically skilled vocals and commercially successful works have had ...
(2013)
* Dilraba Dilmurat
Dilraba Dilmurat (, zh, 迪丽热巴·迪力木拉提 ; born June 3, 1992) is a Chinese actress, singer, and model. She is an ethnic Uyghurs, Uyghur from Ürümqi, Xinjiang.
Early life and education
Dilraba was born on June 3, 1992, in Ürümq ...
(2019)
* Dimash Kudaibergen
, education =
, alma_mater =
, occupation =
, awards = #Awards and achievements, View full list
, website =
, module =
Dınmūhammed Qanatūly Qūdaibergen (born 24 May 1994 ...
(2018, 2023, 2025)
* Fei Xiang
Fei Xiang (born Bart Hsiao Luan Phillips, known as Kris Phillips; ) is a Taiwanese-born American pop icon and singer both in Mandapop and English language music theater, who was also one of the biggest popular music stars in China during th ...
(1987, 2012)
* Fei Yu-Ching (2008, 2019)
* Fire of Anatolia
The Fire of Anatolia or Anadolu Ateşi is a Turkish dance group consisting of 120 dancers, several choreographers and other technical staff. The group has performed in more than 85 countries from the United States to China and Japan, in front of ...
(2013)
* Fu Yuanhui
Fu Yuanhui (; born January 7, 1996) is a Chinese competitive swimmer who specializes in backstroke. She won a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics in the 100-meter backstroke.
Early life
On January 7, 1996, Fu was born in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ...
(2017)
* G.E.M. (2015; 2017)
* Guan Xiaotong
Guan Xiaotong (; born 17 September 1997) is a Chinese actress and singer of Manchu descent. She is known for her roles in films '' The Left Ear'' and ''Shadow''; and the television series '' To Be a Better Man''. From an early age, her family e ...
(2017; 2019; 2021)
* Guo Degang (2013)
* Hao Ge (2007, 2008)
* Han Geng
Han Geng (born February 9, 1984) is a Chinese Mandopop singer and actor. He started his career in 2001, when he was chosen by S.M. Entertainment to become a member of South Korean boy band Super Junior, which debuted in 2005. He later became ...
(2011)
* Han Hong (2007; 2011; 2017)
* Hou Dejian
Hou Dejian (, Cantonese: Hau Dak-gin, born October 1, 1956), is a songwriter, composer, and singer from Taiwan.
Since the 1980s, his songs have been popular in mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. His songs are written mostly in Chinese, wit ...
(1988)
* Hou Yong (2016)
* Huang Shengyi (2008)
* Valen Hsu
Hsu Ru-yun (born Hsu Hung-hsiu on September 20, 1974), better known as Valen Hsu, is a Taiwanese pop singer-songwriter, author and occasional actress. Since the mid-1990s Hsu has been one of the most popular female singers in the Mandopop scene, ...
(2016)
* Hua Chenyu
Hua Chenyu ( Chinese: 华晨宇; born February 7, 1990) is a Chinese singer and songwriter. First debuting as the winner of ''Super Boy'' 2013, he gained widespread recognition for his vocal ability and stage performances after participating in ...
(2014)
* Huang Bo
Huang Bo ( zh, c=黄渤, p=Huáng Bó; born August 26, 1974) is a Chinese actor, film director, singer and the current vice-chairman of China Film Association. He is the winner of multiple Chinese film awards, and ranked 34th on Forbes China ...
(2014; 2018)
* Huang Xiaoming
Huang Xiaoming or Mark Huang ( zh, s=黄晓明, p=Huáng Xiǎomíng, born 13 November 1977) is a Chinese actor and singer. Huang rose to prominence for playing Emperor Wu of Han in the television series '' The Prince of Han Dynasty'' (2001), foll ...
(2018–2020)
* Hu Ge
Hu Ge ( zh, c=胡歌, born 20 September 1982), also known as Hugh Hu or Hugo Hu, is a Chinese actor and singer. He rose to fame for his role as Li Xiaoyao in '' Chinese Paladin'' (2005), and has since starred in a succession of popular televi ...
(2016; 2017)
* Richie Jen
Richie Jen Hsien-chi (, born 23 June 1966), also known as Richie Ren, is a Taiwanese singer and actor. He graduated from the Chinese Culture University's physical education department.
Jen debuted in December 1990 with the studio album ''Ask ...
(1999)
* Jiang Xin
Jiang Xin (; born 8 May 1983), also known by her English name Rulu Jiang, is a Chinese actress.
Jiang ranked 56 on ''Forbes'' China Celebrity 100 in 2017.
Life and career
Jiang Xin entered Zhengzhou City's Children Arts Group at the age of 7 ...
(2017)
* Jing Boran (2017)
* Ju Jingyi
Ju Jingyi (; born 18 June 1994) is a Chinese singer, dancer, and actress. She is best known as a former member of the Chinese idol girl group SNH48.
As a member of SNH48, during the annual General Elections, she was elected as No.4 (2014), No ...
(2020)
* Khalil Fong
Khalil Fong Tai-Tung (; 14 July 1983 – 21 February 2025) was a Hong Kong singer-songwriter, musician and producer.
Fong was notable for introducing a more sophisticated R&B and soul sound to the Chinese music market, drawing inspiration f ...
(2011)
* Leon Lai
Leon Lai Ming Silver Bauhinia Star, SBS Bronze Bauhinia Star, BBS Medal of Honour (Hong Kong), MH ( zh, 黎明; born 11 December 1966), is a Hong Kong actor, singer, film director, and businessman. He is one of the "Cantopop#1990s: Four Heav ...
(2000)
* Lang Lang
Lang Lang (; born 14 June 1982) is a Chinese pianist who has performed with major orchestras around the world and appeared at many leading concert halls. Active since the 1990s, he was the first Chinese pianist to be engaged by the Berlin Phi ...
(2013; 2015; 2020)
* Liang Qiqi (2008)
* Andy Lau
Andy Lau Tak-wah ( zh, order=t,j, t=劉德華, j=Lau4 Dak1 Waa4; born Lau Fook-wing; 27 September 1961), is a Hong Kong actor, singer-songwriter and film producer. He was named the "Fourth Tiger" among the Five Tiger Generals of TVB in the 1 ...
(1995; 1998; 2006; 2015; 2021)
* Carina Lau
Carina Lau Kar-ling ( zh, t=劉嘉玲; born 8 December 1965) is a Hong Kong actress and singer. She started her acting career at TVB, before achieving success with her Girl next door, girl-next-door roles in the 1980s' Hong Kong films. She also pl ...
(2020)
* Coco Lee
CoCo Lee ( zh, c=李玟; 17 January 1975 – 5 July 2023) was a Chinese-American singer, songwriter, and actress. She is one of the best-selling artists in Asia and widely regarded as a significant figure and a diva. Her career began in 1993 i ...
(2001; 2014; 2017)
* Hacken Lee
Hacken Lee (), is a Hong Kong singer, television host and actor, active since the 1980s. In 2013, Lee's song "House of Cards" swept multiple awards in many Hong Kong award ceremonies, including "World's Best Song" and "Broadcasting Index" in Metr ...
(2017)
* Jam Hsiao
Jam Hsiao Ching-teng (, born 30 March 1987) is a Taiwanese singer and actor. At the age of 17, while still in high school, he began working as a restaurant singer. In May 2007, Hsiao took part in the first season of China Television (CTV)'s sta ...
(2011)
* Lee Min-ho
Lee Min-ho (, born June 22, 1987) is a South Korean actor and singer. He gained widespread fame with his role as Gu Jun-pyo in the Korean drama, television series ''Boys Over Flowers (2009 TV series), Boys Over Flowers'' (2009), which also earn ...
(2014)
* Gigi Leung
Gigi Leung Wing-kei (; born 25 March 1976) is a Hong Kong singer and actress.
Early life
She was born at Tsan Yuk Hospital in Sai Ying Pun on 25 March 1976 and was given the name Leung Pik-chi () for superstitious reasons; as a child, Leung suf ...
(2016)
* Li Jian (2011)
* Li Ronghao
Li Ronghao (; born July 11, 1985) is a Chinese singer-songwriter and actor. Initially a music producer, he achieved breakout success as a singer with his debut album ''Model'' (2013), for which he won the Golden Melody Award for Best New Sing ...
(2020)
* Li Xian (2020)
* Li Yifeng
Li Yifeng (born Li He, 4 May 1987) also known as Evan Li, is a Chinese actor and singer. Li launched his career after participating in the talent show ''My Hero'' (2007). Since 2009, he shifted to acting. Li is known for his roles in television ...
(2019)
* Li Yuchun
Li Yuchun ( zh, c=李宇春, p=Lǐ Yǔchūn; born March 10, 1984), also known by her stage name Chris Lee, is a Chinese singer, songwriter, DJ and actress. Her musical style is mainly based on electronic dance music and Chinese pop songs. She laun ...
(2015; 2020; 2025)
* Li Yundi
Yundi Li ( zh, s=李云迪, t=李雲迪, p=Lǐ Yúndí; born 7 October 1982), also known simply as Yundi (stylized as YUNDI), is a Chinese classical concert pianist. Yundi is considered one of the greatest contemporary interpreters of Chopin and ...
(2001; 2012; 2013)
* Lin Chi-ling
Lin Chi-ling (born 29 November 1974) is a Taiwanese actress, model, and television personality.
Early life
Lin Chi-ling was born on 29 November 1974 in Taipei, Taiwan, to Lin Fan-nan ( zh, c=林繁男) and Wu Tzu-mei ( zh, t=吳慈美). Both ...
(2011, 2019)
* Ruby Lin
Ruby Lin Xin-ru ( zh, c=林心如, p=Lín Xīnrú; born January 27, 1976) is a Taiwanese actress, television and film producer, and singer.
Lin began her career as a commercial model in 1993 and gained pan-Asian prominence for her role as Xia Ziw ...
(1998, 2016)
* Terry Lin
Terrance Lin (; born 6 July 1966) is a Taiwanese singer. He has been nominated for the Golden Melody Awards 5 times for Best Mandarin Male Artist. He is known for his clear and elegant high voice, which utilizes different resonance in his head ...
(2019)
* JJ Lin
Wayne Lim Junjie (; born 27 March 1981), professionally known as JJ Lin, is a Singaporean singer, songwriter, record producer, and businessman. One of the most successful artists in the Sinophone, Chinese-speaking world, Lin achieved recogniti ...
(2006; 2017)
* Liu Hegang (2008)
* Liu Huan
Liu Huan (born August 26, 1963) is a Chinese singer and songwriter. He is one of China's modern era pioneers in pop music. He combines his music career with teaching the history of Western music at the Beijing University of International Busin ...
(2020)
* Liu Tao
Liu Tao ( zh, s=刘涛, t=劉濤, p=Liú Tāo, born 12 July 1978) is a Chinese actress. She is known for her roles in '' My Fair Princess III'' (2003), ''Madame White Snake'' (2006), ''Mazu'' (2012), ''To Elderly With Love'' (2013), '' Nirvana ...
(2015, 2016, 2017; 2019; 2020)
* Liu Xiao Ling Tong (1992)
* Show Lo
Show Lo Chih-hsiang (; born July 30, 1979), is a Taiwanese singer, actor, and television host. Lo debuted as a member of Taiwanese boy group Four Heavenly Kings in 1996 after winning a singing and dancing competition. When the group disbanded ...
(2020)
* Lu Chen (2009; 2010; 2012; 2013; 2019)
* Lu Jihong (2011)
* Lu Han
Lu Han (; born April 20, 1990), also known mononymously as Luhan, is a Chinese singer, actor, and dancer. He was a member of the South Korean-Chinese boy group Exo and its sub-group Exo-M, before leaving the group in October 2014. That year, ...
(2017)
* Ma Sichun
Sandra Ma Sichun (, born 14 March 1988) is a Chinese actress of Hui ethnicity. She is noted for her roles in the films '' The Left Ear'' (2015) and '' Soul Mate'' (2016), for which she won the Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actress alongs ...
(2020)
* Ma Tianyu
Ma Tianyu ( zh, s=马天宇, p=Mǎ Tiānyǔ; born 12 July 1986), also known as Ray Ma, is a Chinese singer and actor. He graduated from the Beijing Film Academy.
Career
Early life
Ma was born to an ethnic Hui people, Hui family in Wucheng ...
(2017)
* Maksim Mrvica
Maksim Mrvica (; born 3 May 1975) is a Croatian pianist. He plays classical crossover music.
Biography
Mrvica was born in Šibenik, Croatia. He took piano lessons at the age of nine.[Sophie Marceau
Sophie Marceau (; born Sophie Danièle Sylvie Maupu, 17 November 1966) is a French actress. As a teenager, she achieved popularity with her debut films ''La Boum'' (1980) and ''La Boum 2'' (1982), receiving a César Award for Most Promising Act ...]
(2014)
* Karen Mok
Karen Joy Morris (; born 2 June 1970), better known as Karen Mok, is a Hong Kong actress and singer. She is considered one of the leading East Asian pop singers and actresses with a career spanning three decades. Mok is the first female Hong Kong ...
(2015, 2025)
* Warren Mok
Warren Mok () is a Hong Kong-based Macau operatic tenor who has performed many leading roles since his European debut in 1987 at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. He has a repertoire of 50 operatic roles, including Calaf in ''Turandot'', Cavaradossi in ''T ...
(2015; 2020)
* Wu Muye (2018)
* Na Ying
Na Ying (born 27 November 1967) is a Chinese singer. Rising to fame in the late 1980s, Na signed with Linfair Records in 1993, becoming one of the first singers from mainland China to join a Taiwanese label and subsequently gaining popularity ac ...
(1992, 1993; 1995–1998; 2000, 2001; 2005; 2013; 2015; 2018)
* Pang Long (2006; 2007; 2008)
* Eddie Peng
Edward Peng Yu-Yan ( zh, c=彭于晏, poj=Phêⁿ Û-àn, p=Péng Yúyàn; born 24 March 1982) is a Taiwanese actor, singer and model. He is best known for starring in the films '' Hear Me'' (2009), '' Unbeatable'' (2013), '' Fleet of Time'' (201 ...
(2020)
* Phoenix Legend (2008; 2013; 2015–2017; 2019; 2020)
* Qiao Xin
Qiao Xin (, born 23 November 1993), also known as Bridgette Qiao, is a Chinese actress who graduated from the Central Academy of Drama. Qiao is recognized for her role as Guan Ju'er in ''Ode to Joy'' (2016) and '' Ode to Joy 2'' (2017).
Career
I ...
(2017)
* Ren Yueli (2011)
* Ronan Parke
Ronan Parke (born 8 August 1998) is an English people, English singer from Poringland, Norfolk, who came runner-up in the Britain's Got Talent (series 5), fifth series of ITV show ''Britain's Got Talent'' in 2011 at the age of 12, despite bein ...
(2013)
* S.H.E
S.H.E is a Taiwanese girl group whose members are Selina Jen, Hebe Tien, and Ella Chen. They formed in 2001 and are managed by HIM International Music but decided not to renew their contract in 2019 due to having their own management company.
Si ...
(2008; 2013)
* Song Zu'er (2020)
* Sun Nan
Sun Nan (; born February 18, 1969) is a pop singer from Dalian in mainland China. His songs include "Be there or Be Square", "The Wind Goes to North", "Save", and his song for the 2008 Summer Olympics, "Forever Friends". Sun's album ''Crescent ...
(2012–2014; 2019; 2020)
* David Tao
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, death_place =
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, body_discovered =
, resting_place =
, resting_place_coordinates ...
(2007; 2015)
* T-ara
T-ara (; ) is a South Korean girl group formed in 2009, currently consisting of four members: Qri, Hahm Eun-jung, Eunjung, Hyomin, and Park Ji-yeon, Jiyeon. T-ara's career is marked by Hook (music), hook-heavy dance-pop music, a result of their ...
(2015)
* TFBoys (2016–2020)
* Jolin Tsai
Jolin Tsai I-lin ( zh, c=蔡依林, p=Cài Yīlín; born September 15, 1980), also romanized as Jolin Cai, is a Taiwanese people, Taiwanese singer, songwriter, and actress. Recognized as the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Queen of C-Pop ...
(2005; 2007)
* Mike Tsang
Mike Tsang Pei-tak (; born 7 November 1993), better known simply as Mike, is a Hong Kong singer, who burst onto the music scene when his debut single "I Am Not Even" (我不如) topped three of Hong Kong's five broadcaster music charts in ...
(2025)
* Nicholas Tse
Nicholas Tse Ting-fung (born 29 August 1980) is a Hong Kong actor, singer, songwriter, martial artist, entrepreneur and TV chef.EEGmusic.EEGmusic." ''Nicolas Tse profile.'' Retrieved on 22 April 2008. Tse debuted as a singer in 1996 before shif ...
(2000)
* Twins
Twins are two offspring produced by the same pregnancy.MedicineNet > Definition of Twin Last Editorial Review: 19 June 2000 Twins can be either ''monozygotic'' ('identical'), meaning that they develop from one zygote, which splits and forms two e ...
(2006)
* Jackson Wang
Jackson Wang ( zh, t=王嘉爾, s=王嘉尔; born Wang Ka-yee; 28 March 1994) is a Hong Kong rapper, singer, and songwriter. After a career as a competitive fencer, he joined the South Korean boy band Got7, which debuted under JYP Entertainm ...
(2020)
* Wang Kai (2017; 2018)
* Wang Leehom
Wang Leehom ( zh, c=王力宏, poj=Ông Le̍k-hông; born May 17, 1976), sometimes credited as Leehom Wang, is an American singer-songwriter, actor, producer, and film director. His music is known for fusing hip-hop and R&B, with traditional ...
(2003; 2010; 2012; 2013)
* Wang Yibo
Wang Yibo ( zh, c=, p=Wáng Yībó, pronounced wǎŋ.íː.pʷǒ">Help:IPA/Mandarin">wǎŋ.íː.pʷǒ born 5 August 1997) is a Chinese actor, dancer, singer, professional road motorcycle racer and racing driver. He debuted as a member of Sou ...
(2021)
* Wang Ziwen
Wang Ziwen (, born 28 February 1987), also known by her English name Olivia Wang and now as Ava Wang, is a Chinese actress. She is most known for portraying Qu Xiaoxiao in the popular Chinese television drama ''Ode to Joy (TV series), Ode to Joy' ...
(2017)
* Wanting (2013)
* Faye Wong
Faye Wong ( zh, 王菲; pinyin: ''Wáng Fēi''; born 8 August 1969) is a Chinese singer-songwriter and actress. Early in her career, she briefly used the stage name Shirley Wong (). Born in Beijing, she moved to British Hong Kong at the age o ...
(1998; 2010; 2011; 2012; 2018; 2025)
* Wu Jing (2018)
* Xiao Hu Dui (1992; 2013)
* Xiao Zhan
Xiao Zhan (, born 5 October 1991), also known as Sean Xiao, is a Chinese actor and singer. He began his career in the entertainment industry when he participated in the idol survival show ''X-Fire'' (2015) and joined the Chinese boy group X ...
(2020)
* Joker Xue
Joker Xue (, born July 17, 1983) is a Chinese singer-songwriter and record producer, formerly known as Jacky Xue. One of the most-streamed and most popular Mandopop artists, he is known for his emotional vocal delivery with works that span vario ...
(2025)
* Yan Tiexin (2011)
* Aska Yang
Aska Yang (, born April 4, 1978, in Taoyuan City (now Taoyuan District), Taiwan) is a Taiwanese Mandopop singer.
Education
He graduated from the National Changhua University of Education (NCUE), with a major in Guidance and Counselling. Durin ...
(2019)
* Yang Yang (duet with Tong Tiexin sing “Father and Son” (父子) in 2016, 2018)
* Yang Zi (2017; 2018; 2019; 2020; 2023)
* Yao Beina (2007; 2010; 2014)
* Sally Yeh
Sally Yeh (born 30 September 1961), sometimes credited as Sally Yip or Yip Sin-man, is a Hong Kong and Canadian singer and actress.
Early life
Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Yeh immigrated to Canada at the age of four with her family and grew up in Vict ...
(1996)
* Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen Chi-tan ( zh, c=甄子丹, p=Zhēn Zǐdān, j=, first=j; born 27 July 1963) is a Hongkongers, Hong Kong actor, filmmaker, martial artist, and action director. He is the recipient of various accolades, including three Golden Horse Fi ...
(2016)
* Frances Yip
Frances Yip Lai-yee (born 22 October 1947) is a Hong Kong singer. She is best known for performing many of the theme songs for television series produced by TVB in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Biography
Born on 22 October 1947, Yip is of Hakka ...
(1987)
* Yisa Yu
Yisa Yu or Yu Kewei (; born 23 October 1983), is a Chinese singer. She started out singing in bars and participated in several singing competitions. Her career took off after she achieved fourth place nationally in the 2009 season of Hunan TV's ...
(2019)
* Yue Yunpeng (2014; 2015; 2017; 2019; 2020)
* Yuqi
Song Yuqi (, ; born September 23, 1999), known mononymously as Yuqi, is a Chinese singer-songwriter, dancer and record producer. She is a member of the South Korean girl group I-dle, which debuted as (G)I-dle under Cube Entertainment in May 201 ...
(2025)
* Joey Yung
Joey Yung Tso-Yi (, ; born 16 June 1980) is a Hong Kong singer signed to Emperor Entertainment Group. Since her debut in 1996, Yung has won numerous awards, including the JSG Most Popular Female Singer and Ultimate Best Female Singer – Gol ...
(2005; 2007; 2009; 2010; 2011; 2019)
* Jason Zhang
Zhang Jie (; born 20 December 1982), also known as Jason Zhang, is a Chinese singer. He made his television series debut in the reality singing competition ''My Show'' in 2004, which he won and signed with Universal Music China. In 2007, he joine ...
(2017; 2019)
* Lay Zhang
Zhang Yixing (born Zhang Jiashuai ; ), known professionally as Lay Zhang or simply Lay, is a Chinese singer and actor. After participating in the Chinese talent show ''Star Academy'' in 2005, he became a member of the South Korean-Chinese boy ...
(2017–21; 25)
* Zhang Ziyi
Zhang Ziyi (; ; born 9 February 1979), sometimes credited Ziyi Zhang, is a Chinese actress, known for playing independent and strong-willed characters. Born and raised in Beijing, Zhang was admitted to the Central Academy of Drama in 1996. Th ...
(2000; 2001; 2008)
* Zhao Wei
Zhao Wei (; born 12 March 1976), also known as Vicky Zhao or Vicki Zhao, is a Chinese nationality law, Chinese actress, singer, filmmaker, and businesswoman. Regarded as one of China's Four Dan Actresses, she rose to pan-Asian fame for her rol ...
(2000; 2004; 2016)
* Zhou Dongyu
Zhou Dongyu ( zh, c=周冬雨; born 31 January 1992) is a Chinese actress. She first gained recognition after appearing in Zhang Yimou's film '' Under the Hawthorn Tree'' (2010). She was also chosen by '' Southern Metropolis Daily'' as one of t ...
(2019; 2020)
* Zhu Yilong
Zhu Yilong (, born April 16, 1988) is a Chinese actor. He first gained recognition in television series such as ''Guardian'' (2018), ''The Story of Minglan'' (2018), ''Reunion: The Sound of the Providence ''(2020), and '' The Rebel'' (2021). Zhu ...
(2020)
* OneRepublic
OneRepublic is an American pop rock band from Colorado Springs, Colorado, formed in 2002. The lineup currently consists of Ryan Tedder (lead vocals, piano), Zach Filkins (guitar, viola), Drew Brown (musician), Drew Brown (guitar), Brent Kutzle ( ...
(2025)
*Members of the Chinese Space Program
The space program of the People's Republic of China is about the activities in outer space conducted and directed by the China, People's Republic of China. The roots of the Chinese space program trace back to the 1950s, when, with the help ...
(2007–2009, 2017)
*2008 also featured a poem dedicated to the victims of the 2008 Chinese winter storms
The 2008 Chinese winter storms () were a series of winter storm events that affected large portions of southern and central China, where it does not usually snow severely or extensively, starting from 25 January 2008, until 6 February 2008. The ...
with it being performed by eminent performers, including Li Ruiying
Li Ruiying (; born 16 July 1961) is a Chinese media personality and politician, best known for being the long-time anchor of the China Central Television (CCTV) program ''Xinwen Lianbo''.
Li is the vice-president of China Association of Radio a ...
, Kang Hui Kang Hui may refer to:
*Kang Hui, personal name of Gonggong in Chinese mythology
*Kang Hui (news anchor)
Kang Hui (; born 17 January 1972) is a Chinese news anchor for China Central Television, the main state announcer of China. He is now the ...
, Pu Cunxin
Pu Cunxin (; born 31 July 1953), also known as Pu Quanxin, is a Chinese actor who has served as Chairman of China Theatre Association since July 2015. He is or was a member of the Beijing Experimental Theater Troupe.
Biography
Pu had a rough ch ...
, Wang Gang, Chen Daoming
Chen Daoming (born 26 April 1955) is a Chinese actor who has starred in various genres of film and television series.
Career
Chen graduated from the Central Academy of Drama. His first notable role was Puyi (the last emperor of China) in the 19 ...
, Jiang Wen
Jiang Wen (born 5 January 1963) is a Chinese actor and filmmaker. As a director, he is sometimes grouped with the "Sixth Generation" that emerged in the 1990s. His representative works include '' In the Heat of the Sun'' (1994), '' Devils on the ...
, Han Lei
Han Lei (; born February 23, 1968), also known in Mongolian as Senbor, is a Chinese folk and pop singer-songwriter.
Music Appearance
Han rose to prominence in 1997 on the CCTV New Year's Gala, performing a song called "1997, A.D." (公元一� ...
, Wei Wei and Zhang Guoli
Zhang Guoli (born 17 January 1955) is a Chinese actor and film director who was a ''xiangsheng'' actor before he started working on films and television series. He is mostly known for his roles playing the Emperor in various dramas involving Qin ...
. 2020 included a tribute to the COVID-19 victims and medical staff, read out by Bai Yansong
Bai Yansong () (born August 20, 1968) is a Chinese news commentator, anchor and journalist for China Central Television (CCTV). He has become one of the most recognizable figures in China, serving as the lead anchor on stories such as the Sydney ...
, Kang Hui, Shui Junyi
Shui Junyi ( zh, c=水均益, p=Shuǐ Jūnyì, born 20 September 1963 in Sanjia Jishuijia Village, Gansu) is a Chinese Han[Hai Xia
Hai Xia (; born 9 March 1972) is a Chinese news anchor for China Central Television, the main state announcer of China.
She won the Golden Mic Award in 2007.
Hai Xia is known all over China as an announcer for the 7:00 pm CCTV News program ''X ...](_blank)
, and Ouyang Xiadan
*Then-United Nation Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon (born 13 June 1944) is a South Korean politician and diplomat who served as the eighth secretary-general of the United Nations between 2007 and 2016. Prior to his appointment as secretary-general, Ban was the South Korean minister ...
appeared in a New Year's greeting in 2016.
See also
* ''CCSTV New Year's Gala
''CCSTV New Year's Gala'' () is a low-budget, three-hour New Year's Gala program organized by Shi Mengqi (施孟奇) of China Country Side TV (; ''CCSTV''). It is the grassroots shanzhai version of the official ''CCTV New Year's Gala''.
Organizat ...
''
* ''Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve
''Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve'' (''NYRE''), billed since 2008 as ''Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest'', is a New Year's Eve television special broadcast by American Broadcasting Company, ABC. The special broadcasts ...
''
* ''Gặp nhau cuối năm
(''The Year-End Reunion'') is a Vietnamese annual satirical comedy program that is broadcast across all channels of Vietnam Television (VTV) at Tết, and has been produced by the Vietnam Television Film Center (VFC) since 2003. Known for its c ...
''
* ''Little Blue Light
The ''Little Blue Light'' () was a popular musical variety show aired on Television in the Soviet Union, Soviet television since 1962 ''
References
External links
CCTV Official Website for the ''Gala''
{{Golden Eagle Award (China) Best Literature and Art Program
China Central Television
Chinese New Year
Chinese television shows
New Year's television specials
2010s Chinese television series
1983 Chinese television series debuts
1980s Chinese television series
1990s Chinese television series
2000s Chinese television series
Mandarin-language television shows