China Central Television has held the third dress rehearsal for its much-anticipated Spring Festival Gala, Tuesday.

The New Year's Eve spectacular stars virtually every available top-drawer entertainer in China. The nation's leading broadcaster presents the show to billions of revellers as a festive welcome to the Year of the Rat.

With few exceptions, the third dress rehearsal featured the full cast of entertainers, including comedians, singers, dancers and acrobats. This year, sports stars are a major presence at the show.

China is looking forward to the Beijing Olympic Games in early August. And there will be more youthful singers on the show this time round.

Chen Linchun, director, said, "This time we created a special showcase for young singers. The program will feature some of the latest pop music. Some singers are appearing on our show for the first time. "

Since 1983, this staple feature of Chinese New Year's Eve has entertained billions of viewers.

Last year, provincial television stations began providing entertainers for the Gala. This "door-opening" expands the scope of the program, ensuring that the best in all China, are there to entertain the people, come New Year's Eve.