China Media Group's New Year gala opened with star-studded performances at 8:00 p.m. on December 31.

The four-hour-long celebration revolved around some of the most influential events in China throughout 2020, with themes ranging from the fight against COVID-19 to milestones reached by China's space program.

It was aired on various Chinese television and online channels, including CCTV-1, CCTV-3 and CCTV.com. 

Nearly 100 artists and stars entertained the audience with songs, dances, magic and martial arts performances.

Twelve presenters hosted the gala: Kang Hui, Dong Qing, Ren Luyu, Zhu Xun, Neghmet Raxman, Li Sisi, Gang Qiang, Li Zimeng, Zhang Tao, Long Yang, Gao Bo and Lan Yu.

Throughout the unusually challenging 2020, China made great contributions in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to medical staff members, scientists and researchers who worked on the front line of the fight against COVID-19, as well as numerous ordinary Chinese people.

At the end of the gala, four role models in the COVID-19 fight – Zhong Nanshan, Chen Wei, Zhang Dingyu and Zhang Boli, who made prominent contributions in the fight against the epidemic – sang "Me and My Motherland" in a chorus in their respective cities.

As one of the biggest cultural events in China, this gala aimed to bring hope for 2021, a new opportunity through which everyone can join hands to brave winds and waves and move forward.