On the morning of December 22nd, the “Root-Seeking Tour in China” Winter Camp for ethnic Chinese youth (Fujian Fuqing Team) commenced its opening ceremony at Wumashan Campus of FPNU. The camp was hosted by All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese(ACFROC), organized by Fujian Provincial Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, Fuzhou Municipal Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and Fuqing Municipal Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, and co-organized by the Federation of Fuqing Associations in Indonesia, FPNU School of Culture and Law(School of Overseas Education) and Fuqing Cares for the Next Generation Working Committee.
The opening ceremony coincided with one of the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms, Winter Solstice. Therefore, Qi Zhi, the Vice Chairman of Fujian Provincial Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, cleverly integrated the cultural customs of Winter Solstice into her speech, highlighting the special significance of “Root-Seeking Tour in China”. She paid respect and tribute to Mr. Lin Wenzhu and Mr. Chen Qingzhang from the Federation of Fuqing Associations in Indonesia and the older generation of overseas Chinese represented by them. She stated that it is precisely due to the love and nostalgia of the older generation of overseas Chinese for their motherland that the “Root-Seeking Tour in China” activity for ethnic Chinese youth has been able to persist for twenty years and remains vibrant.,She pointed out that, as a renowned hometown of overseas Chinese, Fuqing holds a special place in the hearts and dreams of countless older generations of overseas Chinese in Indonesian, and is the homeland of the campers. She hoped that through their ten-day experience in Fuqing, these campers would come to understand and experience the extensive and profound Chinese culture, feel the developmental changes of their ancestral homeland, grasp the purpose of “root-seeking” and “returning home”, actively share “Chinese stories” with their relatives and friends, and strive to become friendly envoys for cultural exchange between China and Indonesia. Vice Chairman Qi also presented the flag to the camp representatives.
Lin Wenzhu, the Vice Chairman of the Federation of Fuqing Associations in Indonesia, introduced the general information of the exchange activities hosted by the federation, and expressed pride for the ancestral homeland with increasing strength as an overseas Chinese. He hoped that the campers would cherish the precious opportunity, study diligently, engage actively in exchanges, establish deep friendships, and bring the “good voice of the motherland” to Indonesia.
The head of School of Overseas Education of FPNU introduced the basic information of the school and the details regarding undertaking China-Indonesia cultural exchange activities.
It’s reported that 32 Chinese Indonesian teenagers, over the 10 days, will experience different cultural activities such as studying Chinese poetry, calligraphy, ceramics, paper cutting, traditional mask-making and paper model crafting. In addition, they will visit Shizhu Mountain in Fuqing, Fuqing Overseas Chinese Museum and participate in cultural and sports activities with teachers and students at Fuqing Overseas Chinese School. Through these activities, these teenagers will deeply immerse themselves in learning about Chinese culture, experience the charm of Fuqing as a hometown of overseas Chinese and inherit and advocate the spirit of the hometown of overseas Chinese.
(Translated by Chenchen
/Reviewed by Ye Chenjun)
