Students, teachers party on at Ningxia University

The Chinese jiaozi was "delicious" as many foreign teachers and students laughed and chatted happily at a gathering to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year at Ningxia University on Thursday.

The entire teaching building was full of cheerful voices on Xiaonian, or Minor New Year by the lunar calendar, which usually falls a week before the main event, which falls on Feb 12.

To give foreign teachers and students a sense of traditional Chinese culture and a festive atmosphere, the International Education College at the university organized the gathering.

In addition to making different kinds of fillings and shapes of dumplings, foreign teachers and students who live on campus also learned how to write Spring Festival couplets, make paper-cutting and draw traditional Chinese pictures.

Bella Nzoundi Farnold Jordy, who comes from Cameroon, Africa, said he was happy to attend the gathering, as he could not only enjoy the delicious dumplings but could better understand traditional Chinese culture and social customs.

"I like Chinese culture and the social customs very much," said Jordy who will be in China for two years.

Rahimov Shohronshoh, a student from Tajikistan, said the gathering let foreign teachers and students deeply enjoy the lively and happy festival atmosphere.

"I can learn more about Chinese culture and the history of ancient Chinese dynasties via communications and exchanges with Chinese teachers and students," he said. "The gathering made me feel like I was spending a holiday with family members at home."

"We all like Chinese culture very much," said Shohronshoh, who has been in China for a year.

Basma Ossama Sarwat Ahmed who comes from Egypt, said she was also happy to learn how to make dumplings and write Spring Festival couplets together with teachers and students.

Ahmed, who studies law at the university, calls herself Xiao Xiao, or Smiles, in Chinese, indicating she is happy studying in China.

Li Xing, Party chief of Ningxia University, said, "The event will bring different experiences for foreign teachers and students in the university and will be very good and sweet memories."