Jane Lai

    A 2011 Shenzhen Expats Spring Festival Party was held Saturday at the InterContinental Shenzhen in Nanshan District, attracting more than 100 expats and Chinese from foreign chambers of commerce, foreign enterprises and service centers.

    The party, which featured folk songs, folk music and a magic show, and snacks, was a platform for expats to make new friends and indulge in the festive atmosphere in advance, the expats said.

    A number of people won wines from Spain, Germany, the United States, Italy, Australia and Chile in lucky draws.

    American Terrill Frantz, assistant professor at the HSBC Business School at Beijing University, thought the magic show was his favorite.

    “The magic show was amazing, particularly when the magician turned a stack of paper into U.S. dollars and then RMB notes,” said Frantz, who is looking forward to his first Spring Festival holiday after his six-month stay in the city.

    Expats from dozens of countries were overwhelmed by the traditional Chinese folk music and instruments.

    Expats had made a great contribution to Shenzhen’s rapid development, Wu Dinghai, deputy chief of the Information Office of the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, told the party:“Thank you for your contribution and we wish you all a happy New Year.”

    The party was jointly organized by the Information Office of the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government and Shenzhen Daily.

    There was also generous support from the Service Center of Shenzhen High-Tech Industrial Park, Shenzhen International Science and Technology Business Platform and InterContinental Shenzhen.

    Thanks to Shenzhen’s fast-growing economy and favorable urban environment, there were nearly 500,000 expats working in the city as it celebrated its 30-year anniversary last year.

    1. Winton Dong (C), editor-in-chief of Shenzhen Daily, talks with expats at the party.

    2. A girl plays a pipa, a traditional Chinese musical instrument at the party.

    3. Two MCs read out winners of prize draws.

    4. A saxophonist performs during the afternoon’s entertainment.

    5. An expat family at the party.

    6. Guests enjoy themselves.

    7. A magic show is performed at the party.