The Thousand-hand Kwanyin, a dance performed by 21 deaf-mutes, has been chosen by many netizens as the best performance at CCTV's Spring Festival Gala.
   
A recent survey shows that this year's mandatory annual Spring Festival Gala, as presented by China Central Television, has won general audience satisfaction.
   
Singing and dancing became the new viewer favorites, to replace traditional performances such as cross-talk and comic sketches.
   
The Thousand-hand Kwanyin, a dance performed by 21 deaf-mutes, has been chosen by many netizens as the best performance at the grand gala.
   
CCTV's annual Spring Festival Gala is aired on the New Year's Eve for a marathon period of over 5 hours.
   
In recent years, the show has been finding it hard to give its demanding and diverse audience a good enough excuse to stick to the sofa and stay glued to the TV.

(CRI February 16, 2005)