A poster of the 21st Starlight Awards [Courtesy of China Television Arts Committee]

"The Devotion of Love", China Central Television's massive fundraising gala for the Sichuan earthquake victims, has claimed the top prize at this year's Starlight Awards, the highest honor in television programming given by the Chinese government.

The fundraiser, jointly produced by China Central Television (CCTV) and nine other organizations and government departments, was aired live by CCTV on May 18, 2008, six days after a deadly earthquake jolted southwestern China's Sichuan Province. The star-studded show collected 1.6 billion yuan (US$234.4 million).

As well as CCTV's show, the 21st biennial Starlight Awards also honor 55 other shows and programs aired on the small screen in China between 2007 and 2009. Awards are given in 11 categories including outstanding variety shows, outstanding entertainment programs, and outstanding documentaries.

The 21st Starlight Awards, a Chinese equivalent to the American Emmys, attracted submissions from almost every major television broadcaster in China, Wang Danyan, secretary-general of the China Television Arts Committee, a co-organizer, told CRI after a press conference on Thursday.

Hong Kong Phoenix TV, Taiwan's Gala Television, as well as Macao Cable TV Limited are among the honorees for their co-productions with mainland TV stations.

"The involvement of Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao TV talents is strong evidence of the growing cooperation between them and the mainland in the television arts," said Wang Danyan.

All the honorees will be awarded at a star-studded ceremony scheduled for January 19 in Zhengzhou, in central China's Henan Province.

The 21st Starlight Awards are jointly organized by the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television; Henan provincial government; and the China Television Arts Committee.