Additionally, four stars－actresses Guan Xiaotong and Ju Jingyi, heartthrob Wang Yuan, and ethnic Mongolian singer Ayanga－will team up to consecutively sing the theme songs of animated hits, including Super Wings and Panda and Little Mole.

Renowned pianist Lang Lang is also invited to perform a solo of Azaleas, the theme song of the 1974 classic children's film Sparkling Red Star.

Other celebrities set to join in the gala also include actress Tong Liya, who will narrate the story of The Plump Hands, and singer Cai Guoqing alongside his son who will perform a musical story which reminds youth to cherish food and the work of others.

As this year marks the culmination of China's goal to comprehensively build an economically better society, which was initiated in 2017, the gala has invited children from far-flung areas such as Shibadong village in Hunan province and Daliang Mountains in Sichuan province that have lifted themselves out of poverty.

"We hope the show will bring children warmth, joy and power," says Xu.

This year's Children's Day gala, named Our Festival, airs during prime time on China Media Group's eight channels and platforms, including CCTV-1 and CCTV-14.

xufan@chinadaily.com.cn