Veteran Chinese skit actor Zhao Benshan won top award for favorite programs of the Spring Festival Gala for his "Olympic Torch Bearer" skit on Wednesday, February 20, 2008.

Veteran Chinese actor Zhao Benshan's "Olympic Torch Bearer" skit won the top award for favorite Spring Festival Gala programs on Wednesday, in what is now his tenth year in a row to win top honors.

Web site Sina.com.cn reported that Zhao's win was announced at the Lantern Festival gala recorded on Wednesday evening. He expressed a wish to give more opportunities to new performers.

Shen He, one of Zhao's students, also performed in a skit at the Lantern Festival Gala.

The gala will be broadcast on Thursday evening.
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(CRI February 21, 2008)