As the Sunday night air chilled in the Shenzhen winter, the atmosphere at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) was full of warmth for a concert commemorating the 83^rd anniversary of the December 9^th Movement.

Several SUSTech departments worked together to put on the concert, including the Arts Center, Office of Communications and Public Relations, Office of Student Affairs and the Political Education and Research Center. SUSTech Council Vice Chairperson Li Fengliang was one of the hundreds of faculty members and students who enjoyed the concert.

The concert celebrated university students protesting against the occupation of northern China by Japanese forces. It saw thousands of students from major universities around Beijing (then Beiping) march on the capital to demand the return of Chinese territory.

This year’s concert sought to stimulate the patriotic feelings of SUSTech in the new era. The SUSTech student choir performed 13 songs that echoed the theme of the evening. The concert showed the student’s pursuit for a better life and the yearning for a new era.

This is the third time SUSTech has held the December 9^th Movement commemorative concert. It seeks to use music to express love for China and yearn for the future. This is the first time the SUSTech choir has performed in public since it won a silver medal in the adult mix chorus group at the 14^th China International Choral Festival earlier this year.