Students from the Center for Chinese and South East Asian Studies perform Indian dancing at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi, India, Feb. 18, 2019. Chinese songs, poems, mini plays and Indian dances were performed to celebrate the Spring Festival in the event. (Xinhua/Zhang Naijie)

NEW DELHI, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- A grand function was organized to celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival and the Year of the Pig at the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Monday.

University students of Chinese language gave a splendid performance with a perfect mix of dance, songs and play in Mandarin.

Gracing the occasion, Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy Zhu Xiaohong said that the Chinese New Year was the most significant festival of the Chinese people, like Diwali for the Indian people.

"It is a time for families to get together, express thanks to the elders and make best wishes for the new year. It is a season for relatives and friends to connect and enjoy each other's company. It is a symbol of good fortune and harmony. It embodies our best wishes for a beautiful life," said Zhu.

"I am glad that JNU had the tradition to host such event to celebrate the Chinese New year."

She told the gathering that in China, Chinese young people love Bollywood movies, practicing yoga, and tasting Darjeeling tea.

"These are the first step to understand each other. I hope that Both Chinese and Indian young people will learn much more beyond those I have mentioned above," added the Chinese Counsellor.

According to Zhu, with a total population of some 2.5 billion, the two-way visits last year reached more than one million. Over 20,000 India youth are studying in China. From the Chinese side, 2,000 Chinese students are studying in India.

Prof. B.R. Deepak, the Chairperson of JNU's Centre for Chinese and South East Asian Studies (CCSEAS) said that the university had been organizing grand events to mark the Chinese New Year and Spring Festival all these years, and that it had attracted huge response from the Indians, especially students.

Soni, a third year student of the Chinese language at JNU, told Xinhua that it was her first experience to attend the Chinese New Year celebrations. She also participated in one of the cultural performances at the event.

"Yes there is very much of enthusiasm among all us students to participate in this cultural fest organized to mark the Chinese New Year," she said.