With the Chinese Lunar New Year just around the corner, the annual CCTV Spring Festival Gala conducted its first complete rehearsal Monday night.

Star Daily reports ten programs, including crosstalk and comic skits, went through run-throughs; however, none of the singers from Hong Kong and Taiwan rehearsed with the full show at this time.

This year's gala will last four hours, with the theme "Happy and Harmonious Chinese Year."

Most of the pop stars from Hong Kong and Taiwan will get together to perform during the singing session Popular Winds, which targets younger audiences. 

Angela Cheung from Taiwan, A Niu from Malaysia, Joey Yung from Hong Kong and Han Xue from the Chinese mainland will each sing a song during the show. David Tao and Jolin Tsai from Taiwan will perform a duet called I Will Marry You Tomorrow.

Celebrated Chinese comedian Zhao Benshan and his partner Song Dandan, along with crosstalk artist Niu Qun, will join together this year for a sketch at the gala.

China's Central Television Station first held and broadcasted its Spring Festival Gala on Lunar New Year's Eve 1983. Since then, the annual gala has become a major program for Chinese people and overseas Chinese to celebrate the lunar New Year.

The eve of this year's Spring Festival falls on February 17.

(CRIENGLISH.com February 6, 2007)