On the evening of January 20, 2026, the UNEP-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development (IESD) hosted a Lunar New Year gala at its Siping Road campus. The event aimed to enhance campus cultural life and promote friendship and understanding between Chinese and international students. Vice Dean SunJing joined the gathering and delivered opening remarks, welcoming all attendees to the festive occasion.

The gala kicked off in a joyful and harmonious atmosphere. On behalf of the institute, Vice Dean Sun Jing extended sincere New Year greetings to all attendees. She noted that the Spring Festival, China’s most cherished traditional holiday, embodies profound connotations of reunion, harmony, and hope. She emphasized that the event was more than a festive gathering; it served as a meaningful platform for deepening cross-cultural dialogue and mutual understanding. Sun spoke highly of the students’ global perspective, inclusiveness, and enterprising spirit demonstrated in their academic pursuits and daily lives, encouraging them to grow together through multicultural exchanges and become goodwill ambassadors bridging China and the world.

The gala featured a diverse lineup of immersive cultural experiences, captivating performances, and an exciting lucky draw, offering students an up-close encounter with the unique charm of Chinese New Year traditions. At the "Ink and Blessings" calligraphy station, students joined hands to write Spring Festival couplets. For many international participants, it was their first time holding a Chinese writing brush—though their strokes were a touch unrefined, they focused intently, savoring both the artistic elegance of Chinese calligraphy and the auspicious cultural meanings embedded in the couplets. The subsequent showcase brought together Chinese and international performers in a dazzling mix of acts, drawing waves of applause and filling the venue with cheerful laughter. The event culminated in the lucky draw, which sent the festive excitement to its peak.

More than just a festive occasion, this Lunar New Year Gala stood as a solid bridge for cross-cultural communication. It wrapped international students far from home in a warm, welcoming vibe and deepened their appreciation for the rich heritage of Chinese New Year. As students shared traditional customs, admired each other’s talents, and celebrated side by side, they created lasting memories of their international campus life—vividly embodying the cultural ethos of "harmony in diversity and shared beauty for all."