Hiker

Hiker I am an American boy studying in Guangdong Province, China.

07/02/2025

No matter how far one travels, one should never forget the path that led them there. While overseas Chinese leaders forge ahead abroad, China has been experiencing rapid development.

By the end of 2022, Guangdong Province was home to over 30 million overseas Chinese, representing more than half of China's total overseas Chinese population, spreading across more than 160 countries and regions. Among them, many have established roots in foreign lands through their hard work and perseverance, expanding their businesses and helping to unite fellow overseas Chinese. These individuals have gradually become community leaders, known as "Qiao ling" (overseas Chinese leaders).

Over the past decades, these overseas Chinese leaders have actively participated in domestic affairs, contributing both financially and through their efforts to promote economic and cultural exchanges between China and other countries. Having lived abroad for many years, they have witnessed China's economic rise. What are their experiences and aspirations? Let's listen to what these overseas Chinese leaders have to say.

07/02/2025

How do second and third-generation overseas Chinese born abroad view their ancestral homeland?

By the end of 2022, Guangdong Province was home to over 30 million overseas Chinese, representing more than half of China's total overseas Chinese population, spreading across more than 160 countries and regions. Among them, many have established roots in foreign lands through their hard work and perseverance, expanding their businesses and helping to unite fellow overseas Chinese. These individuals have gradually become community leaders, known as "Qiao ling" (overseas Chinese leaders).

Over the past decades, these overseas Chinese leaders have actively participated in domestic affairs, contributing both financially and through their efforts to promote economic and cultural exchanges between China and other countries. Having lived abroad for many years, they have witnessed China's economic rise. What are their experiences and aspirations? Let's listen to what these overseas Chinese leaders have to say.

07/02/2025

Over the past decades, these overseas Chinese leaders have actively participated in domestic affairs, contributing both financially and through their efforts to promote economic and cultural exchanges between China and other countries. Having lived abroad for many years, they have witnessed China's economic rise. What are their experiences and aspirations? Let's listen to what these overseas Chinese leaders have to say.

By the end of 2022, Guangdong Province was home to over 30 million overseas Chinese, representing more than half of China's total overseas Chinese population, spreading across more than 160 countries and regions. Among them, many have established roots in foreign lands through their hard work and perseverance, expanding their businesses and helping to unite fellow overseas Chinese. These individuals have gradually become community leaders, known as "Qiao ling" (overseas Chinese leaders).

02/01/2025

My hometown, my roots

Before deciding to return to his hometown, Zhou Zhaogeng, the executive vice president of the Thai-Chinese Shenzhen Chamber of Commerce, visited the Zhou Clan Ancestral Hall in Bangkok, Thailand. "An individual devoid of roots is akin to driftwood without an anchor," said he. This place bears his attachment to his hometown and symbolizes his intrinsic sense of belonging.

After returning to his familiar homeland, Zhou Zhaogeng drove directly to the Zhou's Ancestral Hall. "I'm home," he said to his ancestors, inserting a stick of incense in the burner piously.

When Zhou Zhaogeng met his childhood playmates again, "Although we haven't met for more than 20 years, the expressions in our eyes can make us understand each other," Zhou said. He found out that the feeling of "reunion" is irreplaceable.

Homesickness can manifest as a thin sheet of qiaopi, a tacit eye contact, a bowl of kuey teow with local flavor, or wisps of smoke.

02/01/2025

My hometown, my roots

Before deciding to return to his hometown, Zhou Zhaogeng, the executive vice president of the Thai-Chinese Shenzhen Chamber of Commerce, visited the Zhou Clan Ancestral Hall in Bangkok, Thailand. "An individual devoid of roots is akin to driftwood without an anchor," said he. This place bears his attachment to his hometown and symbolizes his intrinsic sense of belonging.

Zhou Zhaogeng knows a Thai Chinese named Huang Daiguang, who is the permanent honorary chairman of the Tio Chew Association in Thailand. Huang is a third-generation Thai Chinese born in Thailand and is committed to the Chinese education of young overseas Chinese. He is also the founder of Samchai Witaed Suksa School.

Zhou and Huang once discussed the reason for promoting Chinese education in Thailand. Huang Daiguang said that his father often helped overseas Chinese write letters and send remittances back to China. Some second-generation and third-generation Teochew people who were born and raised overseas could barely understand the Chinese language and the emotions behind it. "Once upon a time, my father read a letter of reply. The content of the letter was full of sorrow and profound thoughts. He burst into tears while reading it, but the recipient could not understand it." Therefore, Huang's father asked his children to keep their cultural roots in mind and learn their mother tongue.

02/01/2025

My hometown, my roots

Before deciding to return to his hometown, Zhou Zhaogeng, the executive vice president of the Thai-Chinese Shenzhen Chamber of Commerce, visited the Zhou Clan Ancestral Hall in Bangkok, Thailand. "An individual devoid of roots is akin to driftwood without an anchor," said he. This place bears his attachment to his hometown and symbolizes his intrinsic sense of belonging.

After returning to his familiar homeland, Zhou paid a visit to the Qiaopi Museum in Shantou, taking a look at the qiaopi that he helped send back.

In the museum, he found an interesting qiaopi. It was written by Wen Baiding, the grandson of Wen Tianxiang, a renowned scholar and prime minister during the Song Dynasty. Wen drew a dog with a gong tied to its tail on the letter, indicating that a good thing would happen at the end of September (he would be home), as he knew his wife was illiterate.

"The length of qiaopi varies. A long one has about 3,000 words, and a short one has only 4 words. The content can also be drawings. Regardless of the length and form, qiaopi was used to express the thoughts and expectations toward the letter sender's hometown, family, and children," Lin Qingxi, honorary curator of the Qiaopi Sub-museum of the Shantou Archives (i.e. Qiaopi Museum), said.

28/12/2024

Do their thoughts resonate with you?

As time goes by, we are approaching the end of 2024. In retrospect, we have experienced and witnessed many unforgettable moments.

This year, many overseas Chinese have been busy. The wave of homecoming has added warmth to South China. They have engaged in new orders, projects, investments, and business opportunities. Overseas Chinese have made the best use of their capabilities and strengths while reaping the rewards of their careers.

In pursuit of their dreams, overseas Chinese keep moving forward and make every effort for a better future.

26/12/2024

When a TCM practitioner decides to “brave the wind and waves”

At the end of last year, the South Pacific Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine obtained the undergraduate admission qualifications that Tu Zhihui had expected for years.

This summer, before the new semester started, Tu Zhihui went back to Guangzhou to seek collaboration with Chinese medical institutes and universities. He also brought with him herbs made from citrus peels and lemon grass produced locally in Fiji, which he gave to researchers for analysis and testing, hoping to better understand the Chinese herbs sourced from the South Pacific Ocean.

26/12/2024

When a TCM practitioner decides to “brave the wind and waves”

The logo of the South Pacific Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine consists of two elements: a sailboat and waves. “We are a boat that rides the wind and waves and moves on courageously. In this way, we promote TCM in this island country,” Tu Zhihui conceived.

“Our school has three programs: acupuncture and massage, traditional Chinese medicine, and nursing. Although we will have many difficulties, I am confident in training TCM practitioners for the local community,” Tu said.

“This is my mission,” he added. Tu Zhihui’s journey of “braving the winds and waves” will continue as the medical school opens.

26/12/2024

When a TCM practitioner decides to “brave the wind and waves”

Since a reputation was built up, what’s next? Tu Zhihui, the Director of the South Pacific Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, believed that education, especially higher education, is a good way to enable the culture of TCM to take root in Fiji. This was the idea Tu strongly confirmed at the moment he decided to go to Fiji. He has taught locals basic medical skills over the years. His father, who is in his 80s, also came from Guangzhou from time to time to help him train interns.

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广东外语外贸大学
Guangzhou

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