International students celebrate Little New Year immersed in Beijing culture

Wang Yu, secretary of the CPC leadership group and executive vice-president of the BPAFFC, attended the event and delivered a welcome address.

Cultural exchange and hands-on experiences formed the core of the gathering. British stand-up comedian Fraser Sampson served as host, engaging participants with an interactive quiz on the history and cultural significance of the Beijing Central Axis — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the backbone of the capital's urban layout.

The event also featured a lively talent show, with international students presenting performances such as Turkmen folk dance, Tai Chi fan routines, and recitations of classical Chinese poetry, including Yuan Ri and Chu Ye Xue. The performances highlighted cross-cultural dialogue and were met with enthusiastic applause.

After the performances, several international students shared their impressions of the event.

Khounthasith Kinmalakham, an undergraduate student from Laos at China University of Geosciences (Beijing), said the introductory video and interactive quiz helped him better understand the history of the Beijing Central Axis.

Fraser said he was impressed by the enthusiasm and cultural knowledge displayed by the international students. "They are energetic and genuinely interested in Chinese culture," he said, noting that many participants could sing Chinese songs and recite classical Chinese poems.

Following the stage program, the venue transformed into a traditional cultural workshop. Participants took part in a range of Spring Festival activities, including making dumplings and candied hawthorn skewers, painting Tu'er Ye — a traditional Beijing folk art figure — printing woodblock New Year pictures, writing fu characters and Spring Festival couplets, and trying on traditional Chinese attire.