Wu Lei, Dean of the Suzhou University School of Music, delivered a welcome address, expressing heartfelt thanks to the UBC "Thunderstorm" visiting delegation for coming to Suzhou University.

He said the performance marked an important milestone in Sino-Canadian arts education exchange and created a high-level international platform for artistic dialogue between the two schools; such cross-cultural artistic interaction, he added, will further advance deep cooperation in areas like creative practice and talent cultivation.

Yang Shubing, Deputy Director of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education, said the successful staging of Thunderstorm represents a deep practice of Sino-Canadian cultural exchange and fully demonstrates close cooperation between the two countries in arts education.

He highlighted his pleasure at seeing young Chinese and Canadian artists achieve cross-cultural artistic dialogue and emotional resonance through music and drama, noting this fosters mutual cultural learning and offers valuable experience for training international artistic talent. Deputy Director Yang thanked the event organizers and performers for their hard work and expressed hope for more fruitful cooperation in the humanities and arts between China and Canada in the future.

• Cultural Envoy · Overseas-Chinese Leader · Philanthropic Model

• Entrepreneur, philanthropist, social activist

• Executive Chair (8th term), United Chinese Community Associations of Canada

• Honorary President, Sichuanese Association of Canada

• Key promoter of Sino-Canadian cultural exchange

• Long-time advocate for bringing Chinese culture to the world stage

• Supports diverse arts initiatives, building grass-roots bridges of friendship between Canada and China

• Strong supporter of the opera Thunderstorm as an integral part of the UBC Opera curriculum
  
  

“Inspired by the Canadian Multicultural Volunteer Foundation’s commitment to multiculturalism, and grateful for its unwavering support of UBC artists who quietly champion Chinese culture, I hope this academic exchange tour lets young artists from China and Canada feel the power and depth of Western opera. We believe cultural fusion will spark creativity, cultivate globally minded talent, and strengthen friendship and cooperation between the next generations of our two countries.”

• President, Canadian Multicultural Volunteer Foundation

• President, Fraser Volunteer Association (Canada)

• Entrepreneur · Philanthropist · Social Activist

• Producer of the National Truth & Reconciliation Day gala Over the Rainbow

• Chair, 2024 Thunderstorm Opera Organizing Committee

“Our association tirelessly nurtures Canada’s multicultural fabric, combats racism, and advances reconciliation and community dialogue with First Nations. Through volunteer service we have achieved notable social impact across Western Canada. Thanks to the combined efforts of our members and UBC artists, Thunderstorm scored dazzling success in Vancouver—a vivid testament to multiculturalism.
This China tour, steeped in Chinese culture yet linking East and West, is more than an artistic feast; it is a cultural milestone. We believe the UBC Opera Thunderstorm China Tour will become a landmark of Sino-Canadian exchange, giving global audiences an unforgettable artistic experience and offering young Canadian artists broader artistic horizons, while creating fresh opportunities for growth and cooperation between the youth of our two nations.”

Suzhou–Nanjing Stop — Chair: Wu Yunjun (Joanna)

• Cross-cultural education practitioner · Ambassador for Sino-Canadian cultural exchange

• President, Canada Excellence International Education & Immigration Co.

• Chairman, Canada Ivy Education Group

• Chair, North America Culture Promotion Society

Joanna has long worked in international education exchange, dedicating herself to promoting mutual cultural understanding and advancing education internationalization.

• Led and implemented academic exchange and curriculum-partnership projects between 20+ Chinese primary, secondary and tertiary schools and Canadian education institutions.

• Initiated and promoted the Sino-Canadian Sister Schools Program, establishing long-term partnerships between multiple Chinese and Canadian schools.

• In 2019, as the core coordinator, helped secure a regional education strategic cooperation framework agreement between Jiangsu Province and British Columbia.

• For years she has successfully organized the “Canada: In the Name of Love” Multicultural Carnival, developing it into one of the region’s most influential multicultural events.