A touching performance which shone a spotlight on sign language was held during the Lantern Festival Gala on Wednesday to pay tribute to the perseverance of people facing life's challenges, with performers from the China Disabled People's Art Troupe taking to the stage alongside popular Chinese pop singer Liu Yuning.
Hosted by the China Media Group (CMG), the gala boasted a star-studded lineup and delivered a high-tech visual-audio feast for viewers tuning in from around the world to celebrate the Lantern Festival, which landed on Wednesday this year.
The performance started with Liu's lyrics being interpreted in graceful style by a sign language performer, whose movements were reflected onto the star-shaped stage backdrop in a silhouette style.
Later, a larger group from the China Disabled People's Art Troupe joined the singer, and signed out inspirational phrases including "never give up", "hold on right to the end", and "we're all hard-working people", moving some audience members to tears.
This year, the CMG has sought to ensure its gala shows can reach a wider audience through barrier-free broadcasts for the visually impaired and the hearing impaired with highly-experienced staff helping deliver the necessary interpretations. This element was introduced for the first time during the recent Spring Festival Gala, allowing more people to enjoy the televised variety show with family and friends.
First broadcast in 1985, this year's Lantern Festival Gala again staged a whole host of entertaining variety performances including energetic song and dances, comedy sketches, as well as traditional operas and magic shows, highlighting China's unique cultural charm.
The Lantern Festival, observed on the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar, falls on Feb. 12 this year, and marks the conclusion of the country's Spring Festival celebrations, which center around the Chinese New Year.
Heartfelt performance puts spotlight on sign language at Lantern Festival Gala
Heartfelt performance puts spotlight on sign language at Lantern Festival Gala
Commemorations honoring Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs were held on the banks of the Yalu River in Dandong, Liaoning Province on Tuesday as part of ongoing tributes to those who fought in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953).
The event was held to mark the return of the remains of 12 CPV martyrs, who were killed in the war, from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.
This will be the 13th such repatriation of CPV remains following the handover agreement between the two countries. Since 2014, the remains of 1,011 soldiers have been returned to China from the ROK, according to China's Ministry of Veterans Affairs.
More than 170 representatives, including veteran CPV soldiers, relatives of the martyrs, active-duty personnel, students, and other from various sectors of society, attended the event.
People boarded a ferry which slowly sailed down the Yalu River. Inside the cabin, all present stood in solemn silence as the national anthem of the People's Republic of China was played, and observed a moment of silence in honor of the CPV martyrs.
Then, they walked to the ship's railings one by one and scattered flower petals into the river to pay tribute to the martyrs.
"We, the CPV, went abroad to fight to defend our motherland, the people, and our good life and to resist U.S. imperialist aggression against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). I hope that our young comrades and students today will study hard and make contributions to our motherland," said Hu Changzhe, a CPV veteran.
"I feel deeply moved as these veteran soldiers are heroes who once fought for our country. Now, standing by the Yalu River, looking back on their past and remembering their comrades, they must be deeply touched," said Hong Jialu, a student at a branch of Liaoning Province Shiyan High School.
At the event, 10 student representatives from primary and middle schools read aloud a letter to express their reverence and remembrance for the heroic martyrs through their sincere words and heartfelt recitation.
The Korean War broke out in June 1950, eight months after the People's Republic of China was founded. At the request of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), China sent 2.9 million CPV soldiers to assist the DPRK during the war, of whom more than 360,000 were killed or injured.
Commemorations held to pay tribute to CPV heroes in northeast China
