The 2021 Spring Festival Gala reached 1.27 billion viewers both on TV and new media platforms during the live broadcast on Thursday as China welcomed the Chinese Lunar New Year.

The extravaganza was broadcasted and reported in more than 170 countries and regions, including the U.S., France, Italy, Russia and Japan.

Some 734 million people watched the live show and its video clips via new media platforms, an increase of 128 million compared with last year, recording 4.975 billion views in total. The number of overseas views via platforms, such as YouTube and Facebook, exceeded 32.59 million, showing a growth of 4.54 million views compared with last year's event.

Art meets technology

Produced by China Media Group (CMG), the live event was acclaimed for its use of cutting-edge technology. The incorporation of 8K Ultra High Definition as well as the AI+VR naked-eye 3D technology guaranteed a better viewing experience.

In the creative show "Ox Strut," Chinese pop star Andy Lau danced with multiple virtual robotic oxen virtually along with singers Guan Xiaotong and Wang Yibo in the Beijing studio.

Led by renowned wushu artists Donnie Yen and Wu Jing, "Wushu Performance: Heroes of Heaven and Earth" wowed the audience by placing a natural landscape as a background through AR technology.

Creative programs echo times

This year's gala highlighted China's control over the COVID-19 pandemic, its victory against poverty, and also this year centenary of the creation of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Stars Jackie Chan, CoCo Lee, Zhou Dongyu, Li Yifeng, and many others sang "A Better Tomorrow" in a tribute to all frontline workers, and the comedy sketch "Balcony" depicted how people helped each other and successfully endured the hard times.

The song "China in the Light," performed by Chinese veteran singer Zhang Ye and gala newcomer Zhou Shen, depicted the streets, villages, and ports of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, demonstrating the rapid growth and bright future of the Greater Bay Area. And "The Folk Song for the Party" expressed how the CPC has led its people on a road to peace and prosperity.

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2021 Spring Festival Gala highlights technology, unity and progress to welcome the Year of the Ox