Students enjoy Chinese New Year fun at gala in London

China's Ambassador to the United Kingdom Zheng Zeguang highlighted major accomplishments achieved during the past year and reaffirmed the nation's development priorities in the year ahead at the Chinese New Year Gala 2025 in London on Tuesday, which was hosted by the Chinese Students and Scholars Association UK.

Zheng said China is willing to work with the UK to maintain the strategic partnership, uphold mutual respect and open cooperation, and strive to build a long-term, stable, and mutually beneficial China-UK relationship.

During the past year, he said, more than 200,000 Chinese students had studied in the UK, while approximately 12,000 UK students had participated in exchange programs in China. And he said ties between schools in China and the UK had grown even closer.

"I hope all students can cultivate great ambitions, work together in unity and mutual support, and strive to achieve success," he said.

Zheng was joined at the event by representatives from UK universities and education institutions, Chinese scholars, and students.

Francesca Pala, a student at the University of Leeds majoring in Chinese studies, was one of the event's four hosts.

She said: "This is the first time that I've hosted such a big event. I feel incredibly honored, and it was such an amazing experience through which I've learned so much more about Chinese culture."

Themed "Golden Dreams, Harmonious Spring", the Spring Festival gala featured Chinese folk music, opera, dance, martial arts performances, and more, all to celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Snake, which starts on Jan 30.

Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, from the classic Chinese novel "Journey to the West" was also brought to life on stage.

Li Yuexing, from the Starry Sky Art Troupe at the Communication University of Kunming, in Southwest China's Yunnan province, said: "With the success of the Chinese video game Black Myth: Wukong, we see it as a great opportunity to introduce more people to Chinese culture, starting with the story of Wukong."

He said the art troupe will also perform in Liverpool, Glasgow, and other cities in the UK.

"I was really happy to see many British children recognizing me as Monkey King and coming up to ask for photos," Li said. "We also gave them small gifts, like Spring Festival couplets and Chinese knot hairpins."

Alistair Fitt, vice-chancellor of Oxford Brookes University, said at the event that he wished all in attendance a joyful and prosperous Year of the Snake, and expressed hope for the promotion of cultural understanding and friendship between China and the UK.