UCBC Celebrates Year of the Rabbit

By Karlynn Fronek, UCBC Communications Director

To celebrate the Year of the Rabbit, a large group of US China Business Connections (UCBC) members and guests gathered on February 3rd, the first day of Chinese New Year, at Summit Brewery, St. Paul. Typically, they hold monthly meetings about doing business with China. But, at the brewery, which donated the space and beer, the group stepped outside their mode and celebrated the New Year.

By Karlynn Fronek, UCBC Communications Director

To celebrate the Year of the Rabbit, a large group of US China Business Connections (UCBC) members and guests gathered on February 3rd, the first day of Chinese New Year, at Summit Brewery, St. Paul. Typically, they hold monthly meetings about doing business with China. But, at the brewery, which donated the space and beer, the group stepped outside their mode and celebrated the New Year.

Guests fill plates with traditional Chinese fare

The several varieties of beer proved to be a great complement to the Chinese buffet from Pagoda Restaurant. The Chinese delicacies included ten traditional dishes from Dumplings to New Year Cakes. A highlight of the event was the performance by Jarrelle Barton, who played the Chinese zither or Guzheng magnificently. Largely self-taught, he also studied under a famous musician from Minnesota.

Warren Vollmer, UCBC President, made welcoming remarks and introduced Mengfu Yang, a new UCBC Board Member from the University of Minnesota, who presented Chinese New Year celebration traditions. UCBC also announced its expanded summer internship program for local and Chinese students to work in Minnesota.