As China further makes its presence known on the world stage, Chinese expatriates need to uphold their culture of origin as well as share it with others, members of Boston University’s Chinese Students Association said. Along with the Howard Thurman Center, the CSA co-sponsored a Chinese Tea Ceremony on Saturday at the George Sherman Union, which about 45 people attended. The afternoon featured an array of teas and pastries. One table had a dozen Chinese pastries the club brought from Boston’s Chinatown, while another exhibited about 30 kinds of teas from around the world, including China, Japan, Korea, Mexico and the United States.’ Attendees sampled tea flavors such as Royal Coconut, Mocha Yerba Mate, Azteca Fire, Lady Londonderry and Chinese Oolong, while learning about the health benefits each particular variety of tea provided. CSA president and School of Management junior J.R. Wu Chang said China’s growing influence around the world makes it important for people to understand Chinese culture.’ ‘ ‘China has the fastest growing population, so aspects of Chinese culture are up and coming trends that will affect the world,’ he said. ‘We want to get people exposed to Chinese culture.’ Club members said they are proud of their Chinese heritage and wish to share it with the rest of the BU community. ‘It’s something that we’re proud of,’ CAS junior and member of the association Julie Qiu said.’ ‘ She said Chinese people living in America should not exclude Chinese practices from their daily routines.’ ‘ ‘I’m Chinese-American, and I think it’s important to show both sides of my culture,’ she said. Though the event was called a ‘ceremony,’ the atmosphere was casual, as attendees walked around the Howard Thurman Center and music played in the background. ‘It’s more like a Chinese food fest,’ Wu Chang said. The CSA said it holds its tea ceremony on an annual basis. Wu Chang said the Chinese Students Association plans on being more active next semester, hosting events such as a Chinese pop show and a ball. School of Management sophomore Nick Monser said although he primarily attended for the free food, he enjoyed the event. ‘I came for the conversation over tea,’ he said. ‘And the free food.’ SMG sophomore and CSA historian J.J. Wu Chang, agreed that food and conversation were of principle importance. He said celebrating Chinese culture was important by virtue of its pre-eminence within Boston and the United States at large. ‘There’s already Chinatown,’ he said. ‘We need to market it.’