The 5th annual High Table Banquet, an initiative undertaken by the Founder and Chairman of the Board of Sias, Dr. Shawn Chen, to teach students etiquette, and international communication, was held in the new ballroom of the Sias Library on November 2. The High Table Banquet was jointly organized by the School Office, the Student Affairs Office, the School of International Cultural Exchange, and the School of Business.

The chief guests at the banquet were the Associate Dean of Graduate Business Education at Point Loma Nazarene University, Jamie Ressler; renowned Folklorist from the Academy of Social Sciences in Liaoning Province, Qu Yanbin; master of Bian Lian (face changing dramatic art) and 'National Treasure of China', Wei Ruiqun; famous artist, Bai Xuelang; Director of the Information Department of the Guangming Daily newspaper, Li Yusheng; Party Secretary of Zhengzhou Aviation Industrial Management College, Xu Feng; Secretary of the Youth League Committee of FOXCONN, Zhang Buzhe; and Deputy Secretary of the Youth League Committee of FOXCONN, Han Lulu. Also in attendance were the Chairman of the Board of Sias, Dr. Shawn Chen; Sias Party Secretary, Fei Hexiang; President Dr. Chen Sikun; and Assistant Principal, Sun Rujian. The banquet was attended by students representing all the schools at Sias, as well as members of Sias' foreign faculty. In total, nearly 300 people were present. The event was presided over by the Director of the International Cooperation and Exchange Department (ICED), William Lu.

During the "Red Carpet" session, Dr. Shawn Chen delivered a speech. He welcomed the guests and spoke of the importance and reason behind holding the High Table Banquet. He said that it was a part of a liberal arts education, as well as necessary for a well-rounded education. The banquet exposes students to a part of Western culture that would normally not experience, would broaden their perspectives, and teach them how to interact with a different part of society. In addition to the formal attire, he said that the High Table Banquet has a higher requirement of dining, drinking, toasting, and focuses on a cultured interaction between guests.

Associate Dean of Graduate Business Education at Point Loma Nazarene University, Jamie Ressler, also spoke at the banquet. She told students that they should be lifelong learners, always seeking out opportunities to learn, while being diligent and motivated. She encouraged them to travel, be open to new ideas, while improving their communication, problem-solving, and their understanding of life.

The annual High Table Banquet has, over the last few years, become a highlight for seniors at Sias.