ACSS welcomes Consul General Zhang Yun at a Pre-concert Reception
Nathan Zhang
2010 Arizona Chinese New Year concert – the largest in the history of Arizona – was
held in the Centennial Hall of University of Arizona (U of A) in the afternoon of
Jan 31, 2009. Over 2000 Chinese and American audience enjoyed this extraordinary
Chinese cultural festival.
The Association of Chinese Students and Scholars (ACSS) played an important role
in this event. As a supporting group, ACSS recommended one of the MCs and helped
in ticket sale. More importantly, ACSS, led by Ms. Yuan Fang, organized a pre-concert
reception to welcome Consul General Zhang Yun from the Consulate General of People’s
Republic of China in Los Angeles, who came to Tucson for the first time to join the
local community to celebrate this historical event. Coming with Consul General Zhang
were his wife Yang Aidi, Vice Consul Wang Yi and Mr. Peng. The vice provost of academics
of U of A, Prof. Gail Burd and the head of the Department of Neuroscience, Prof.
John Hildebrand, also attended the reception. Shicheng Tao, the president of Arizona
Chinese United Association, and his associates were present at the reception as well.
Additionally, Chinese teachers from Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) and Tucson
Chinese School were among the attendants.
The reception took place on the 9th floor of Gould-Simpson building. Thirty students
arrived 2 hours in advance to decorate the meeting room. During the reception, Consul
General Zhang Yun gave a warm Chinese New Year greeting to U of A officials, ACSS
and all other participants. He also kindly donated some Chinese textbooks to TUSD.
A student representative presented a gift to Mr. Zhang. Although the reception lasted
only about 40 minutes, every one felt this was a happy warm-up for the Chinese New
Year. “It feels like I am home! That 5000 miles and 15 hour difference just disappeared!”
Student Jinyuan said. ACSS also provided some traditional Chinese desert for the
guests and the students. Students who attended the reception on the day received
ticket to the concert from ACSS.
While people were enjoying the breath-taking performances in the concert, several
ACSS members including Cao Mu were outside the Centennial Hall taking care of posters
and a demonstration table. When concert-goers passed by the table, they found every
chance to introduce to people the 2010 Shanghai Expo in China. After the concert,
Consul General Zhang appeared in front of his posters. “Thanks to everyone’s work.
I am glad to see our culture is nicely presented to people from the entire community.”
Commented Consul General Zhang at the end of the day.
