From the five countries along the Mekong River (called Lancang River in China) will celebrate New Year's Day with Chinese audiences on December 31, at the annual New Year's Bilingual Evening Gala held in Beijing.

With a theme of scenery and life along the Mekong River, the show, hosted by CCTV, China's national TV station, will be hosted at a theater in Happy Valley, an amusement center in Beijing.

In addition to the star-studded performances, highlights will include local songs and dances from Japan, Vietnam and Laos. CCTV-4 will broadcast the show live.

A documentary named Lancang River - Mekong River will also premiere at the gala.

(China Daily December 29, 2007)