An international participant learns to make dumplings under the guidance of a chef during a community event celebrating Chinese New Year in Minzhi on Feb. 10. Courtesy of event organizer

As red lanterns were hung and the scent of ink filled community halls, international residents in Longhua’s Minzhi Subdistrict joined local neighbors to celebrate Chinese New Year through culture, dialogue and shared traditions.

At Daling Community’s Party-Masses Service Center, an event themed “Celebrating the Festival Together · Integrating Through Culture” brought together nine international residents from countries including the United States, Colombia and Spain, alongside nearly 100 local participants.

“I’ve never written the Chinese character ‘Fu’ before — this is so interesting,” said Harris, an American engineer who has lived in Shenzhen for nine years, as he carefully brushed the character onto red paper for the first time.

Guests explored traditional customs such as calligraphy, paper-cutting and folk games. The dumpling-making table became a lively focal point, where Chinese and international residents worked side by side. “Back home, our family also gathers to cook during holidays. This feels just like home,” Harris said after tasting the dumplings he helped prepare.

Meanwhile, in Shangfen Community, another Spring Festival cultural experience event — themed “Welcoming APEC, Gathering Neighbors for the New Year” — drew participants from France, Nepal and other countries, together with representatives of local enterprises, social organizations and residents.

Community youth volunteers served as bilingual “cultural ambassadors,” introducing Spring Festival traditions and their meanings in both Chinese and English. International guests took part in writing Spring Festival couplets, creating paper-cut window decorations and trying traditional games, experiencing firsthand the creativity and warmth embedded in Chinese festive culture.

A tea gathering provided space for dialogue. Participants watched a short documentary reviewing Shangfen Community’s 2025 neighborhood initiatives and exchanged views on community governance and cultural integration. Eleven representatives of the community’s “Friendly Neighbor Partners” program were presented with letters of appreciation in recognition of their contributions to community service and cultural exchange.

For many international residents, the events offered more than festive activities. “What impresses me most about Shenzhen is not only its rapid development, but also its welcoming community atmosphere,” Harris said.