BEIJING, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese leader Li Changchun visited the performers and crew of China Central Television's Lunar New Year gala program during their rehearsal Thursday.

Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, extended new year greetings and expressed his hope that the crew will present an excellent show for all Chinese on Lunar New Year's Eve on Feb. 13.

Li Changchun (front R), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, shakes hands with actors at the rehearsal of the Spring Festival Gala Evening at China Central Television (CCTV) in Beijing, China, Feb. 11, 2010

The annual Lunar New Year gala celebration started in the 1980s and is China's most popular TV event. It attracts a major proportion of China's 1.3 billion population every Lunar New Year Eve.

Li Changchun (2nd row, C), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, poses for photo with actors at the rehearsal of the Spring Festival Gala Evening at China Central Television (CCTV) in Beijing, China, Feb. 11, 2010.