California State University Northridge China Institute Spring Festival Banquet Enriches Campus Diversity

Los Angeles (February 25, 2024) – On the evening of the 24th, the CSUN China Institute (CSUN China Institute) and the Chinese Student and Scholar Association (CSUN-CSSA) on campus jointly hosted a lively Chinese New Year banquet at the Student Center on campus. Nearly 200 faculty, students, and community representatives from both on and off-campus enjoyed an evening filled with traditional Chinese cultural elements. Education Consuls Sun Xuejing and Yang Lijun from the Consulate-General of China in Los Angeles, along with Meera Komarraju, Provost of California State University Northridge, and Jeffrey Reeder, Dean of the College of Humanities, were invited to attend and delivered speeches thanking the China Institute for its contributions to enriching campus diversity over the years.

Provost Meera Komarraju,  California State University, Northridge (Photo by: Richard Ren)

Dean of Humanities, Jeffrey Reeder（Photo by: Richard Ren)

Sun Xuejing, Education Consul of the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles (Photo by: Richard Ren)

Dr. Wei Cao, the current director of the China Institute at California State University Northridge, stated: “This year’s annual banquet includes celebrating achievements, recognizing contributions, fundraising, and fostering community awareness to support the mission and goals of the China Institute: to establish and strengthen connections between California State University Northridge and Chinese academic institutions.” Dr. Cao emphasized: “The theme of this year is ‘Harmony and Heritage,’ aiming to bridge cultural differences, foster awareness of mutual understanding, and create a harmonious environment where people from different backgrounds gather to celebrate, learn, and appreciate the rich Chinese culture. In the long run, the China Institute will strive to enable a wide audience in North America (including university students, faculty, staff, children receiving TK-12 education, and community groups) to have broad access to projects/activities showcasing Chinese culture and resources. We also aspire to strengthen community ties and enhance cultural awareness through the transformative power of educational and cultural engagement between China and the United States. Therefore, we look forward to sponsorship from individuals, businesses, and cultural organizations with similar visions and values.”

Professor Weimin Sun (middle) was awarded the “Outstanding Contribution Award” by the China Institute at California State University Northridge, with Professor Zhixin Su (left), the former director, and Professor Wei Cao (right), the current director, serving as the presenters. (Photo by: Richard Ren)

Shortly after stepping down from his position, Dr. Sun expressed, “During the pandemic, the China Institute has further strengthened its connections with the local community, including other Asian-American and African-American communities, to speak out against racial discrimination and social justice issues. We have deepened cooperation with the local Chinese community and received strong support from organizations such as the Chinese American Foundation, contributing together to the promotion and enrichment of Chinese culture.”

The opening performance segment featured a display of traditional Chinese culture, where young Chinese-Americans dressed in attire representing various dynasties recited classic poetry from their respective eras. This was accompanied by screens displaying bilingual presentations in Chinese and English, guiding guests to understand and appreciate the beauty of Chinese culture throughout different periods.

Master Guan Jingshun leading the Tai Chi performance conveyed the integrity of this art form in its transmission through generations. Among the performers, several were professors from Northridge University.

The performance of “Blue and White Porcelain” by Luo Yuting, Chairperson of the Chinese Student and Scholar Association and a student from Dongying, Shandong, collaborating with piano teacher Katerina Panferova, expressed reverence for traditional Chinese culture. It allowed guests to fully experience the romantic sentiments of Chinese style.

The adult dance troupe led by Teacher Feng (Feng Chen) presented the dance “Why Are the Flowers So Red?” from the Silk Road to the guests, showcasing people’s yearning for love, friendship, and a beautiful life.

14-year-old Chinese-American violinist Aaron Liu won first prize at the CECILIA International Competition in Tokyo last year. His solo performance of “Carmen Fantasie” elicited awe from the audience with his masterful skills and interpretation of the piece.

The event also featured a special guest performance by the mysterious magician Andrew Andrini, who astounded the audience with his spectacular magic tricks.

Left to right: Consul LiJun Yang, Professor Wei Cao, Consul Xuejing Sun (Photo by: Richard Ren)

Professor Justine Su, who served as the director of the China Institute for 20 years from 1995 to 2015, introduced: “Our university was the earliest (established in 1982) among American universities to establish the China Institute and establish formal exchanges and cooperation with Chinese universities. At that time, there was no Chinese consulate in Los Angeles, and it was the professors and Chinese students from our university’s China Institute who helped arrange reception and celebrations for the Chinese delegation participating in the 1984 Olympics. The earliest international students included the famous actress Joan Chen and Zhang Yu. Olympic gymnastics champion Li Ning also served as an honorary advisor to the China Institute.”

Left to right: Professor Wei Cao, Professor Justine Su (Photo by: Richard Ren)

Professor Justine Su reminisced, “The China Institute began collaborating and exchanging with Chinese universities in the early 1980s. We engaged in various types of educational and cultural exchange activities, including the World Bank-funded China Science Education Teacher Training Project, comparative studies of science education between China and the United States, principal and teacher training programs in China, comparative studies of principals and teachers between China and the United States, hospital management training programs, training programs for leadership cadres in Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Dalian, training programs for university leaders and core faculty members, ‘Shadow’ Principal training program in Shanghai, 2+2 cooperative degree programs (in finance, arts, hospital management, music, engineering, etc.), cooperative graduate education leadership training programs, and more. Our university’s jazz band, Department of Theater, Film and Television faculty and students, women’s choir, and others have participated in music and drama festivals in China, collaborated with Chinese universities, and received enthusiastic coverage from Chinese media!”

It is reported that even during the pandemic, the China Institute at California State University Northridge continued to welcome visiting scholars from Chinese universities to conduct research on campus.

During the raffle segment,  Ceramic artist Patsy Cox and Visual Arts professor from the Department of Art and Design at California State University Northridge received a Lunar New Year gift box from the Shanghai Overseas Chinese Affairs Office (Photo by: Richard Ren).

Representatives from the All American Chinese Youth Federation presented 20 Lunar New Year gift boxes from the Shanghai Overseas Chinese Affairs Office as prizes for the raffle segment of the event. One of the winners was Professor Patsy Cox, who also served as the former chair of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA). She praised the successful integration of traditional and modern elements in the design of the gift box, which reflects the essence of Shanghai. (By: Richard Ren/LAPost)