An establishment ceremony for the WRSA Choir of the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone is held on July 27. [Photo/WeChat ID: hefeigaoxinfabu]

The Western Returned Scholars Association (WRSA) Choir of the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone, the first of its kind in Anhui province, was established on July 27, and consists of 39 members.

Members of the choir come from the zone's WRSA, which is also known as the Overseas-educated Scholars Association. The choir was formed to enhance exchanges among overseas returnees and enrich their lives with culture. Since its establishment, rehearsals are scheduled regularly, said Luo Min, deputy director of the administrative committee of the zone.

The zone's WRSA also welcomed 26 new members on the same day, bringing its total membership up from 130 at the time of its founding in December 2021 to 156.

Tong Xin, one of the new members, shared her experience about studying abroad and returning to China. Tong graduated from the York University in the United Kingdom. She said that under the recommendation of her fellow alumni, she joined the WRSA, where she felt the warmth of being in a group of overseas returnees like herself.

The WRSA plays an important role in China as a bridge between government and overseas returnees. Tong said that the association is a big family for overseas students. The members have similar experiences and similar topics and the association allows them to get to know each other and have the opportunity to communicate in depth. Tong added that she is very grateful to join the association and hopes members will comfort and inspire each other and have a bright future.

New members of the WRSA of the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone take a group photo on July 27. [Photo/WeChat ID: hefeigaoxinfabu]