A foreign crew member makes dumplings during a Spring Festival event in Ningbo. [Photo/Tide News]

More than 10 Chinese and Southeast Asian crew members attended a Spring Festival gathering organized by local maritime authorities and partner institutions in Ningbo's Beilun district on Feb 11.

The event featured Chinese zodiac games and quizzes on Spring Festival customs. In the dumpling-making area, volunteers provided hands-on guidance to crew members as they learned to prepare this traditional holiday dish. Participants also practiced writing Spring Festival couplets with brushes and ink.

Eyas Rich Roven, a crew member from the Philippines, wrote the Chinese character fu, which symbolizes good fortune. Holding up the couplet he had written, he said he planned to post it on the ship's bridge.

A noon lunch featured dumplings made by the crew, along with local specialty dishes and fruit desserts. Chinese songs and Southeast Asian folk tunes were performed as crew members exchanged holiday greetings.

Dayot Febrick John, also from the Philippines, said in his newly learned Chinese that he had not expected to enjoy such authentic Chinese food at the port or to make so many new friends.

Local maritime authorities said similar activities will continue during the Spring Festival period, providing services and cultural experiences for international seafarers calling at Ningbo Port.