On February 4th, 2019, Acting Consul General Liu Jun attended the University of Illinois at Chicago’s (UIC) Year of the Pig Spring Festival Gala and delivered New Year remarks. The event was hosted by UIC’s Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA). CSSA representatives from the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Art Institute of Chicago, and other universities in the city also attended the event. In total, 300 Chinese students, Chinese professors and American students enjoyed the evening’s performances.

Acting Consul General Liu Jun began the evening with festive New Year greetings to UIC’s Chinese students and scholars. He said that today was a special day. At this very moment, while we in the US are celebrating New Year's Eve, China is already passing New Year's Day. Because of academic commitments, you students could not make it back home to celebrate the New Year. Thus, I would like to extend New Year greetings and wishes to you all. I myself have attended UIC’s Spring Festival Gala before on a number of occasions. This event has already become well-recognized by the entire university community. I’d like to thank the students of CSSA for all their hard work in organizing tonight’s event. I hope that in the new year, you students continue to progress academically, maintain sound physical and mental health, and conclude your study abroad experience safely and successfully. At the same time, I hope that you all integrate your personal ideals with the great rejuvenation and the great dream of the Chinese nation, take full advantage of your study abroad experience, make more friends, uphold the solid image Chinese international students possess, and contribute to the friendship between our two nations.

During the gala, Chinese students performed traditional acts such as cross-talk and comedy skits, hip breakdancing against the thump of electric beat, and improvised rapping. There were also martial arts and magic performances given by American friends. The gala, spiced with the vigor and vitality of the youthful crowd, carried through the night amidst ceaseless applause and auspicious holiday joy. The unique performances and rich New Year delicacies gave the Chinese students in attendance a sense of home like no other.