Lunar New Year gala honours American who ‘showed kindness to Chinese people'
Published: 10:00pm, 30 Jan 2025 China's ambassador to the United States Xie Feng has praised an American who appeared on the televised Lunar New Year's Eve gala as proof of the kindness that exists between the two peoples. Evan Kail, a pawn shop owner from Minneapolis, donated an album of photographs that depicted a series of wartime atrocities committed by the Japanese, including the 1937 Nanking massacre .
After his appearance on Tuesday night's show, Xie posted on social media: 'It's great to see Evan, the American who donated a precious WWII photo album to China, at our national Spring Festival Gala this year!
'Whoever shows kindness to the Chinese people will always be reciprocated with kindness. Evan, you now have 1.4 billion Chinese friends!' The annual variety show, known as Chunwan , has become a key element of the nation's Lunar New Year celebrations for many in China since it first aired in 1983.
Kail's appearance on Tuesday night's show was Beijing's latest effort to promote personal exchanges with the US despite competition with Washington.
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Asia Times
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When I was studying in the US, I often met Asian American students who belted out her songs at karaoke nights or during cultural festivals. Many had grown up hearing her music through their parents' playlists or local community celebrations. The release of her recently discovered song is a reminder that some voices do not fade – they evolve, migrate and live on in the hearts of people scattered across the world. In an age when global politics drive different cultures apart, Teng's enduring appeal reminds us of something quieter yet more lasting: the power of voice to transmit emotion across time and space, the way a melody can build a bridge between continents and generations. I recently rewatched the YouTube video for Teng's iconic 1977 ballad 'The Moon Represents My Heart.' As I read the comments section, one perfectly encapsulated what I had discovered about Teresa Teng in my own research: 'Teng's music opened a window to a culture I never knew I needed.' 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