Spring Festival is not a celebration just for Chinese. Across the United States, you can find Americans joining with Chinese friends to mark the holiday.

CGTN’s Su Xiaoxiao has more on one such collaboration – that brings Chinese students halfway around the world – to link up with their peers at a Southern California middle school.

On the night, the atmosphere in Middle school in Murrieta, California is distinctly Chinese, filled with joy and harmony.

Paper cutting, painting an opera mask, writing calligraphy. American students and their parents learned traditions to promote a Chinese New Year.

Chinese volunteer Zhu Yuehao, said the students really enjoyed paper cutting.

The celebration ended with Chinese and American students holding an evening gala.

A Chinese kung fu performance was also a favorite.

This is the fifth year that such an event was held in a U.S. middle school — part of a China-U.S. cultural exchange project.

Hundreds of middle school students and teachers from across China, joined hands with American students and parents to enjoy the Chinese New Year.

This year’s school celebration comes as China and the United State mark 40 years of formal ties.

And it’s in line with what we heard last week from the Chinese Ambassador in Washington, Cui Tiankai — That the New Year is a great opportunity for boosting mutual trust and understanding.