It's not just in the writing process where there's new blood, but on the stage itself: singing farmers compete with big stars, and comedian Zhao Benshan is bringing his apprentice Xiao Shen Yang, who's known from his TV appearances, to the gala for the first time.

The feedback from the audience at the rehearsals has been enthusiastic.

An audience said, "The program arrangement is fast paced and keeps us excited."

"I think it's good. It's freshened things up, but it's still relevant to the public."

The gala which will be performed here in CCTV's number 1 studio, has been in the works for a full 6 months. Almost all the sketches have been written exclusively for this show. And as in previous years, the four hour and a half show will be the perfect accompaniment for Chinese people around the world as they bid farewell to the year of rat and see in the year of ox.