STORY: Foreign expats experience Spring Festival traditions in China's Anhui
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 11, 2025
DATELINE: Jan. 13, 2025
LENGTH: 00:01:05
LOCATION: HEFEI, China
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of expats experiencing charm of Spring Festival traditions
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): HILDER MULONGO, Zambian expat in Hefei
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): CLAIS THOMAS WEISE, German professor at Hefei University
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): GORAN MARINOVIE, Serbian teacher in Hefei

STORYLINE:

A Spring Festival gathering was held in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, on Friday last week, bringing together foreign nationals from 45 countries and regions.

The event showcased intangible cultural heritages such as paper cutting, calligraphy, and tea art, along with performances like dragon and lion dances.

Participants shared their views on the Chinese New Year and expressed their excitement for the upcoming Spring Festival celebrations.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): HILDER MULONGO, Zambian expat in Hefei
"I'm really touched because there are a lot of foreigners coming together to experience the Chinese New Year together. It's my favorite festival. We buy a lot of gifts. And then there are a lot of 'hongbao' (red packets). And then the family gets together and we just enjoy it, just celebrate the atmosphere."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): CLAIS THOMAS WEISE, German professor at Hefei University
"I think this is maybe the most important event for the Chinese people every year. In the last 100 years, so many things have changed in China. But one thing that will never change is probably the Spring Festival. It is always very important, I think."

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): GORAN MARINOVIE, Serbian teacher in Hefei
"It's really beautiful. I really like it. This is the Year of the Dragon. Next year is the Year of the Snake. So it will be great."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Hefei, China.
(XHTV)