On the evening of February 10, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE) hosted its annual Lunar New Year's Eve dinner for students remaining on campus during the holiday. The warm and joyful gathering not only helped ease the students' homesickness but also provided an immersive experience for international students to appreciate the profound heritage of the Chinese New Year and feel the warmth and care of the SUFE community.。
Mr. Yang Zhenfeng, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, and Ms. Zhao Jingru, First-Level Inspector of the Student Affairs Office, attended the event. They were joined by SUFE Party Secretary Xu Tao, Vice President Liu Qingsheng, Deputy Party Secretary Zhou Guoliang, President Assistant Xia Jijun, and Mr. Cao Dongbo, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Director of the Publicity Department. Together with relevant department heads, faculty leaders, and counselors, they celebrated the Spring Festival with more than 200 students, including over 30 international students who had the opportunity to experience the charm of traditional Chinese culture up close.
In his New Year address, Deputy Director Yang Zhenfeng extended sincere blessings to all students staying on campus for the upcoming Year of the Horse. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the staff who worked tirelessly to prepare for the event, and praised SUFE for its thoughtful initiatives in student education as well as the excellent spirit displayed by its students. He encouraged everyone to move forward with the vigor and vitality of the dragon-horse, actively integrate into Shanghai's development, and contribute to the nation's construction.
Party Secretary Xu Tao reviewed the university's achievements across various fields in 2025. He encouraged all students to cherish this moment of reunion, fully experience the festive atmosphere, and remember to send New Year wishes to their families back home. He called upon both teachers and students to keep their original aspirations in mind, integrate personal goals into the broader national development, and work together to write a new chapter in SUFE's high-quality development.
The evening featured a variety of cultural performances. Preparatory year students delivered a heartwarming choir performance of "A Little Sweet," whose refreshing vocals conveyed the beauty of youth and the warmth of reunion. Master's student Igbogbo Fiona Eghonghon captivated the audience with her powerful solo "Beauty," demonstrating the unique charm of cultural fusion and earning rounds of applause.
Prior to the gala, the university thoughtfully arranged a folk customs experience section, providing a platform for both Chinese and international students to engage with traditional Chinese culture. Activities such as making dumplings, writing couplets, rubbing prints, and crafting New Year-themed items attracted enthusiastic participation. Students sat together, kneading dough, rolling wrappers, and filling dumplings, learning the techniques while appreciating the cultural significance behind "reunion dumplings." They tried their hand at calligraphy, writing "fu" characters and couplets, sensing the beauty of Chinese characters and the blessings of the New Year with every stroke. International students curiously observed, eagerly joined in, and created their own crafts, gaining joy and a sense of achievement while immersing themselves in the rich heritage of Chinese culture. This hands-on experience made the Year of the Horse Spring Festival even more meaningful and warm for them.
HAPPY
CHINESE NEW YEAR
This New Year's Eve dinner not only delivered joy and blessings to the campus community but also allowed over 30 international students to experience the charm of the Chinese New Year and the profoundness of traditional Chinese culture. Accompanied by warmth and care, this feast of love is sure to become an unforgettable memory for all students. It will further build bridges for cultural exchange between China and the world, ensuring that SUFE's warmth and inclusiveness reach every student.
