A stellar event

The theme of this year's online gala remains kaixin, which can be translated as both "happy" and "new beginning", aiming to recall the efforts made to promote social development in the past year and send best wishes for the new year.

"Young people would like to express themselves and happily create new things, so our event would like to capture this vigor and confidence," says Tang.

The opening of the show will feature 100 young dancers, and the audiences will be treated to some spectacular special effects and set designs.

"Modern technologies are being used to enhance visual effects and interaction with audiences in many galas on CCTV, and our show is no exception," says Tang.

CCTV's virtual female host Wang Bingbing will be the star of a 3D video themed around the 2022 Winter Olympics, being held in Beijing and Hebei province in February. The virtual character will help to provide the audience with an immersive experience.

In addition, movie-style special effects will enrich an aerospace-themed singing performance, making people feel like they are traveling in space.

"The show will have a technological feel and give audiences a perfect mix of modernity and tradition," says singer-songwriter Shang Wenjie, who will perform at the show.

Shang will collaborate with an artist of khoomei, a traditional throat-singing technique, to present a new adaptation of her song Little Stars. In addition, she will recite a part of Tianwen (Quest for Heavenly Truth), a poem written by Qu Yuan of the Warring States Period (475-221 BC).

Tianwen is also the name of China's first Mars mission. On Feb 24, Tianwen 1 entered a preset orbit above Mars. According to the China National Space Administration, by naming the mission after the poem, it intends to illustrate China's determination to explore outer space and implant the love of science among the nation's youth.

"The sound of khoomei is stunning. Making high and low sounds simultaneously, the style creates a sense of space, like 'putting questions' to the universe," Shang says.