CCTV anchor Dong Qing will return to the small screen. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Chinese anchor Dong Qing is set for a return to the small screen after a spell studying at the University of Southern California.

The well-liked host appeared at a press conference on Monday promoting the China Central Television (CCTV) show Impossible Challenge.

She will be one of three judges when the programme goes to air in prime time next month, from 8pm on Sundays on CCTV 1.

Dong's rise to fame coincided with her presenting the CCTV New Year's Gala between 2005 and 2015, typically the most watched annual TV show in China.

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