Final 8 chosen at 2012 Spring Festival Gala express

With the largest audience in the world, the five-hour CCTV Spring Festival Gala is a dream stage for aspiring entertainers. This year, for the first time, 36 talented performers from 12 popular Chinese talent shows return to the stage to compete for the 3 places at this year's gala express. Last night the eight finalists were chosen.

The most heated battle of the talents was between contestants Ping An and Jin Chi from this summer' hit The Voice Of China, and they both excelled in this latest competition. Ping An beat Jin Chi, to became the first contestant to enter the final 8. Contestant Xu Yina surprised everyone by beating Zhang Hexuan, a singer who has never lost a competition, except on one occasion, to Ping An.

Interestingly, the original singers of the 2 songs Xu chose to perform are also the judges. She bowled them over with her flawless rendition and overwhelming emotion. The final round of the competition will take place on December 30th. So watch this space!