Date: February 21th, 2019
Source: International Liaison Department
At the invitation of Yu Guochun, vice chairman of JNU's board and president of the Hong Kong Federation of Overseas Chinese Associations, JNU President Song Xianzhong attended Culture of China, Festival of Spring, known as the Hong Kong Spring Festival Gala, on Feb. 18 at the Hong Kong Coliseum. It was jointly organized by the State Council's Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and the Hong Kong Federation of Overseas Chinese Associations.

Xu Yousheng, deputy minister of the United Front Work Department of CPC Central Committee and director of the State Council’s Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, spoke at the gala. He said President Xi Jinping had planned and advanced the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to give more support to Hong Kong and Macao in integrating themselves into China's overall development. Xu also said  he hoped that Hong Kong compatriots could rely closely on their motherland, seize this major opportunity,and maintain the  traditions of loving Hong Kong and their mother country, being open and practical, and forging ahead through mutual help to achieve their great ambitions in the higher-level reform and opening-up.

(Xu speaking at the gala)
After the gala, Song talked to teachers and students in the JNU Student Art Troupe, during which he expressed his thanks for their performance at the gala. He then extended New Year's blessings to all the Hong Kong alumni who attended.

(President Song Xianzhong, the JNU Student Art Troupe and Hong Kong alumni)

Festival of Spring was started in 2009. On the occasion of Lunar New Year, high-level art troupes organized by the government are sent to perform for overseas Chinese to celebrate the Lunar New Year with them.