A foreign student from the School of International Education and Exchange at Shanxi University presides over a gala held to celebrate the New Year, Dec 27. [Photo/sxu.edu.cn]

International students celebrated the New Year at a gala held by Shanxi University on Dec 27.

The event was hosted by the university's School of International Education and Exchange and was designed to allow students to look forward to 2019 in a relaxed atmosphere.

A whole host of exciting performances by Chinese and foreign students, as well as faculty members, were staged at the gala –– showcasing the best of different countries' cultures.

Shanxi University has been welcoming overseas students since 1981. So far, more than 1,000 students from over 50 countries have studied for qualifications at the university.

Most of the foreign graduates from the university work in embassies and consulates based in China, diplomatic institutions, friendship associations and joint business ventures.

Over the years, many of them have made significant contributions to building bridges and economic ties between China and other parts of the world.