On the morning of 10^th February 2021, a Chinese New Year party was hosted by the International Office and School of International Education along with the Spring Festival cultural exchange workshops for the overseas faculty and students at Shantou University. Vice President Prof. Liu Wenhua of Shantou University and Dr. Gao Jian, the Director of the International Office and Dean of the School of International Education attended the event joined by around 30 overseas faculty and students.

The party started with a warm welcome speech delivered by Vice President Prof. Liu Wenhua, who sincerely sent the new year wishes to all overseas faculty and students. He stressed the importance of hosting events like this to promote the local, national and global cultural exchange among Chinese and overseas faculty and students and to create on campus a warm, homely atmosphere for them, especially during this Spring Festival season when many are unable to return to their home countries or regions for family re-union because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Officers from the executive committee of the 3rd Asia Youth Games, who joined the Chinese New Year party, also sent their best wishes to all guests by sending out the lucky bags designed for the 3rd Asia Youth Games, one of the largest youth sports games in Asia that is expected to be held in Shantou this year between 20th November and 28th November.

The Spring Festival cultural exchange workshops followed as the culmination of the event with the detailed introduction to the Chinese traditional culture and custom during the Spring Festival and the precious first-hand experience of Chinese calligraphy, paper cut, Kongfu tea ceremony and dumplings making. All guests were so excited about getting themselves involved in the cultural exchange workshops that some even forgot lunch time.

In addition to this event, a list of activities including the weekend shopping trips to Walmart and Wanda Plaza together with tours to attractions in Shantou’s downtown area has been arranged by the International Office and School of International Education to make sure all the overseas faculty and students have a happy and prosperous Chinese New Year.