The Chinese Students and Scholars Association in the UK held a Spring Festival gala on Wednesday in London to count down to the Chinese New Year.
More than 900 attendees, including representatives from British universities and education institutions, as well as Chinese students and scholars, joined to enjoy a feast of Chinese culture.
This year's Chinese New Year falls on Saturday, and 2024 is the Year of the Dragon based on the Chinese zodiac. The dragon is perceived by the Chinese people to represent dignity, prestige, and auspiciousness.
The festival gala, with a theme of "Soaring Dragon's Spring Melody", featured Chinese folk music, dance, singing, martial arts performance and more.
During the event, Zheng Zeguang, China's ambassador to the UK, addressed attendees, highlighting major accomplishments achieved in the past year and reaffirming China's future development priorities.
He pointed out that China will steadfastly pursue high-quality development and Chinese modernization to advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
China will also vigorously call for an equal and orderly multipolar world as well as for inclusive economic globalization that benefits all, Zheng noted.
"Our motherland has bright prospects for future growth," he said.
The ambassador praised Chinese students and scholars for being diligent and disciplined, noting that the number of Chinese students in the UK has significantly increased due to the transformation of China.
"I hope you will carry on the tradition of patriotism. I hope you will aim high and work hard. I hope you will unite and help each other, as well as make friends widely. I hope you will grow into the backbone of the nation in the near future," he said.
Alistair Fitt, vice-chancellor of Oxford Brookes University, extended warm wishes of good fortune and prosperity in the Year of the Dragon and expressed hope for progress in Sino-British bilateral relations.
"I am very sure that our two great nations will continue to expand all of our very successful array of linkages," he said.
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