Bridging the gap

There are other projects helping people with vision and hearing challenges. Guangming Cinema, or bright cinema, a public welfare initiative co-launched by the Communication University of China in 2017, helps vision-impaired people enjoy films through audio descriptions.

Yu Lei, who has been directing the CMG Spring Festival Gala for three years, said allowing impaired people to access the arts can be an empowering experience.

It offers them a sense of belonging, a chance to participate in society's cultural dialogue and an opportunity to feel recognized.

With more than 27.8 million people in China living with hearing impairments and over 17 million living with visual impairments, these efforts ensure that no one is left behind when it comes to cultural celebrations, she said.

Yu said when the idea of an accessible broadcast for the 2025 Spring Festival Gala was born, the accessibility efforts went beyond mere translation — they were a demonstration of how technology and thoughtful design can bridge the gap between audiences and art.