International students studying at the Hunan University of Chinese Medicine in a group photo on February 2. (Photo/Tang Xiaoqing)
"When I was studying in Pakistan, I learned about the Chinese tradition of using the color red to celebrate Chinese New Year, presenting red envelops and pasting spring couplets to express New Year wishes," said Du Ruimang (Chinese name), a Pakistani student studying in the Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, adding that "Now I am in China, experiencing the rich festive atmosphere. I have learned that the upside-down '福' character means that blessing and good fortune are coming." He wrote down "Happy New Year" in Urdu with a Chinese ink brush.
February 2 marked the traditional Xiaonian, which signifies the start of the countdown to the Chinese Lunar New Year, in the northern regions of China. That afternoon, the university held a Spring Festival party, inviting the international students from 29 countries such as Russia, the UK, Canada, South Korea, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia to experience and participate in the Chinese New Year celebrations.

The party site was decorated with red lanterns and patterns of Chinese dragons. The international students dressed in Chinese Hanfu costumes, and tasted traditional Chinese snacks such as Beijing's tanghulu (candied hawthorn skewers) , Changsha's stinky tofu, tangyuan (glutinous rice balls) boiled with fermented sweet rice wine, Tianjin's twisted fried dough, and dragon's beard candy from Anhui Province. They also tried their hand at paper cutting, writing spring couplets, the Pitch-pot game, and making rubbings of Chinese New Year paintings.
 
Mimi, a woman from Sudan, loves Peking roast duck, West Lake fish in sweet and sour sauce, and spicy tofu. "In my country, many young people are interested in Chinese traditional Mamian skirts, and love to discuss Chinese culture and folk customs on social platforms. I will send the videos of today's party to my friends in Africa, sharing the festive atmosphere of Chinese New Year with them," she said.

Guo Juanjuan is a 22-year-old student from Indonesia with familial connections to China as her parents were born in Fujian Province. "We also have sugar figures and xiaolongbao (steamed meat bun) in Indonesia. I feel a sense of kinship when I saw these at the party," she said. Chinese people in Indonesia present red envelops and pay New Year visits to each other during the Spring Festival, and do cleaning on Chinese New Year Eve, she added. Her parents often taught her traditional Chinese etiquette.

"I wish for an everlasting friendship between China and Pakistan," wrote Mu Yue, a Pakistani woman, placing the note into a mailbox of wishes. She tried her hand at making dumplings and paper cutting at the party. "A variety of art shows and other celebrations have been held to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relationship between China and Pakistan since 2021. I want to learn about China's culture, economy, and sci-tech development through my study in China," she said. She planned to organize a WeChat group of Pakistani students, calling on them to leverage their respective strengths to promote Sino-Pakistan communication and exchanges in such areas as literature, museums, art, journalism, youth, education, and sports.

An international student of the Hunan University of Chinese Medicine shows her calligraphic work of "福" character on February 2. (Photo/Tang Xiaoqing)

As traditional Chinese medicine becomes popular overseas, an increasing number of international students have come to study in the Hunan University of Chinese Medicine. There are currently more than 150 international students in the university. This trend provides a valuable platform for promoting TCM on a global scale.

A series of activities will be held during the Spring Festival, such as short video competitions of Chinese culture and Chinese poetry learning, to enhance the international students' understanding of Chinese culture, and communication and interaction between Chinese and foreign students and teachers. On the evening of the Lantern Festival, a special fireworks show will be staged at the university, offering opportunities for the international students to wish for good fortune in the Chinese New Year.

This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Pang Yuehui

Chinese source: Chinanews