The CCTV Spring Festival Gala mounted its third dress rehearsal on Wednesday afternoon. Some big shots that haven't appeared in previous rehearsals, made an appearance this time. That means more of the programs in the final line up are now known to the press.

CCTV Spring Festival Gala mounts 3rd dress rehearsal

Elegant swan princesses and some high-energy street dance performers... this mixed dance show invented by Russian choreographers is one of the new entrants to be presented this year.

This blend of pop and classic can be also seen in the vocal performance by Liu Huan. He will sing a song accompanied by the Asian Philharmonic Orchestra.

Pop singer Lee Hong Wong and piano player Li Yundi will team up to perform folk melody "Dance of the Golden Snake", and pop song "Descendants of the Dragon", combining the classics with something new.

Li Yundi, pianist, said, "I think it's interesting to mix classic with pop. It's a dialogue between the two in the new era."

Hong Kong singer Zhang Mingmin will sing "My Chinese Heart" again. it's the song that made him a star after the 1984 gala.

Zhang Mingmin, singer, said, "The gala uses new technology year after year, but I will still sing 'My Chinese Heart', my Chinese heart will never change."

Taiwan singer Fei Xiang will also reprise his signature song "The Clouds of My Hometown". He sang the song at the gala in 1987 and became a star overnight.

Fei Xiang, singer, said, "This year is the 30th anniversary of the Spring Festival Gala. I hope to bring back some fond old memories to the audience. I think this year's gala is packed with both surprises and warm memories, the memories are not only for the audience members in front of the TV, but for me as well."

Surprises and memories - this is what we can expect for this year's gala. The show is forever like a box of chocolate. You never know what you'll get.