China News Service, Nanchang, February 9th (Xiong Jinyang) February 9th is the Chinese Lunar New Year’s Eve, and it is also a day for Chinese people to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new. On this day, people gather together to express their longing for each other at the hot New Year's Eve dinner. However, there are always some people who work in foreign countries who are unable to rush home due to busy work and other reasons. They "fly" back to China through video calls to celebrate the New Year "on the cloud" with their families.
Early in the morning on the 9th, Wu Rangyong, who lives in Honggutan District, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, rushed to the Party and Mass Service Center in his community. Community staff had already prepared melon seed candies and prepared a special "meeting" for him.
Wu Rongyong (first from left), accompanied by community staff, has a video call with his uncle Wu Xiaobao. Photo by Xiong Jinyang
In 2008, Wu Rangyong's uncle Wu Xiaobao went to the United States to work, and later took his wife and two children to settle there. Because I am engaged in the decoration industry and work is quite busy, I often only go back to my country to reunite with my family every few years. This year, because the project has not yet been completed, Wu Xiaobao can only choose to celebrate the New Year abroad.
"Uncle, how are you doing there? Today is New Year's Eve. I wish you a happy New Year first. You don't have to worry about us. The community cares about us. You don't have to worry when you are outside." Facing the uncle who was projected on the screen in the conference room , Wu Rangyong was very happy.
Wu Rangyong told reporters that his uncle has worked hard abroad for many years, and what he worries most about are his relatives at home. "Every traditional Chinese festival, the community will organize activities for us overseas Chinese relatives to carry out activities together. I will also make video calls to my uncle. We have a happy time, so that our overseas relatives can rest assured when they are away."
Wu Xiaobao has not returned to China to celebrate the New Year with his family for several consecutive years, and Wu Xiaobao misses his relatives and food in his hometown very much.
"Thankfully, communication is very convenient now. I often contact my brothers and sisters through WeChat to understand their physical condition and living conditions." Wu Xiaobao said that overseas Chinese welcome the New Year in the same way as at home, and they also prepare some lively large-scale gatherings, eat The traditional custom of New Year's Eve dinner has never ceased, and it is a distinctive Chinese symbol for every Chinese overseas.
This year, he and his wife bought a lot of ingredients in Chinatown, USA, and planned to cook a traditional Chinese feast to relieve their lovesickness. "When preparing for the New Year's Eve dinner every year, I have a WeChat video open on my phone next to the stove. On the other end of the video are my family members who are also busy in the kitchen. Although there is a time difference between the two places, I will also 'appear' at the table when the New Year's Eve dinner is served. During this time, I had an online reunion dinner with my family, and I felt so fulfilled that it was indescribable."
"On the first day of the Lunar New Year, when we go to visit relatives, we will also make video calls and meet relatives and friends online. Although we will not go back to our hometown for reunion this year, fortunately, with the advanced communication technology, we can also reunite online and pay New Year greetings to our families. ." Wu Xiaobao said.
A mobile phone connects family members, and the small screen is full of reunions. The New Year is "reunion in the cloud" and the New Year is celebrated online. Although we are far apart, the warm family affection and strong flavor of the year have never changed. (over)