On February 12th, Guangxi University held its 2026 Spring Festival gathering for international faculty members and students. Vice President Yu Wenjin attended the event and delivered a speech.

Yu extended Spring Festival greetings to all international faculty and students, expressing gratitude for their contributions in bringing international perspectives and innovative energy to the university's teaching and research, as well as enriching campus life with multicultural vitality. He noted that over the past year, the university has advanced its internationalization strategy of "deepening engagement with ASEAN while embracing the world," achieving new progress in international exchanges and cooperation. He stated that in 2026, the university will continue to promote high-level international exchange and collaboration in education, encouraging faculty and students to embrace opportunities with an open mindset and realize their potential within an inclusive campus environment.

The Spring Festival carnival kicked off on the first floor of Nanyuan Canteen, where festive decorations including red lanterns, Spring Festival couplets, and paper cuttings created a joyful holiday atmosphere. In the cultural experience area, Chinese and international faculty and students tried their hand at writing the character "Fu" (blessing) and composing couplets under the guidance of instructors, experiencing the beauty of Chinese calligraphy. At the rubbing and paper-cutting stations, participants crafted hand-made items such as round fans and calendars featuring Year of the Horse elements, gaining hands-on exposure to traditional intangible cultural heritage techniques. In the games area, traditional activities including pitch-pot and ring toss attracted many participants, with laughter and cheerful voices filling the air. Following the carnival activities, faculty and students shared a Spring Festival reunion dinner, enjoying Chinese cuisine while exchanging thoughts and reflections on their work and studies. Many expressed that this annual Spring Festival gathering not only immersed them in the rich atmosphere of traditional Chinese culture but also made them feel the university's genuine care and the warmth of being part of a community, allowing them to experience a memorable and meaningful Chinese New Year.

SAIF ULLAH, a Pakistani postdoctoral fellow in crop science, shared that his study and life in China have been delightful, and he has truly witnessed the rapid advancements in China's scientific research and social development. He praised the exceptional academic atmosphere and living environment here, expressing hope that in the future he can bring the advanced knowledge and skills acquired in China back to his home country, contributing to deeper agricultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Pakistan, and strengthening the bonds of friendship between the two nations.

Chen Susu, a Myanmarese student, shared her reflections on celebrating the New Year in China. She noted that this experience has deepened her understanding of the profound meaning of "harmony" in Chinese culture. In her view, harmony manifests as the joyous togetherness of family reunion, the warm bonds of treating each other as one family, and the peaceful coexistence of diverse cultures. Seeing people from various nations come together, embracing one another and moving forward hand in hand, brought her a profound sense of warmth.

More than 200 international students from 14 countries, including Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Pakistan, gathered together with international experts and faculty representatives, immersing themselves in traditional Chinese customs as they welcomed the Year of the Horse amidst a festive atmosphere.