Opening Ceremony of the 2024 "Chinese Root-seeking Tour" Summer Camp—Sichuan Camp Held at Chengdu University
Author:Liao Jing          Source:Office of International Cooperation and Exchange         Date:2024-07-12

On July 8, the opening ceremony of the 2024 "Chinese Root-seeking Tour" Summer Camp—Sichuan Camp took place at the Performance Hall of the Student Activity Center at Chengdu University. Zhao Junmin, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and President of the Sichuan Overseas Friendship Association, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. Yang Dong, Chairman of the Sichuan Provincial Returned Overseas Chinese Federation, presided over the ceremony. Wen Su, Director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the People's Government of Sichuan Province, and Huang Hao, Vice Chairman of the Sichuan Provincial Returned Overseas Chinese Federation, presented the camp flag for the event. Zhu Ming, President of Chengdu University, attended the opening ceremony. This summer camp is sponsored by the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, jointly organized by the Sichuan Provincial Returned Overseas Chinese Federation and the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the People's Government of Sichuan Province, and co-organized by seven municipal federations of returned overseas Chinese, including the one in Chengdu, as well as three universities including Chengdu University. Over 220 overseas Chinese teenagers from the United States, Canada, Russia, France, Austria, Spain, Ireland, and Italy participated in the event.

Zhao Junmin addressed the opening ceremony on behalf of the hospitable people of Sichuan, welcoming over 220 overseas Chinese teenagers and accompanying teachers from around the world. He highlighted the importance of young people's learning and passion in cultural inheritance and expressed hope that everyone would treasure this opportunity to delve into the cultural roots of Chinese civilization and foster a deeper sense of identity and pride in traditional culture. In addition, he emphasized the participation and cultural dissemination by young people in cultural exchange and encouraged everyone to make the most of this opportunity to reexamine and understand the Chinese roots described by their parents. He urged the camp participants to observe China through their own eyes, listen to China with their own ears, explore China in their own footsteps, share their experiences with others, and build more bridges of friendship and cooperation between the people of China and the world.

At the ceremony, Zhang Xiaojun, the accompanying teacher from the Moscow Oriental Chinese School in Russia, encouraged camp participants to maintain a positive attitude throughout their journey and stressed the importance of adhering to camp rules and approaching diverse cultures through appreciation, mutual learning, and mutual understanding.

Representing the camp participants, Song Yifan from the Vienna Chinese Education Center in Austria delivered a speech. He expressed his hope that this event would deepen their sense of identity and pride in Chinese culture, enhance their communication and friendship with overseas Chinese teenagers from around the world, and enable them to contribute to cultural exchanges between China and other nations.

The opening ceremony concluded successfully with the song "Descendants of the Dragon." Following the opening ceremony, Professor Tian Haishu from Chengdu University was invited to deliver a lecture on traditional Chinese culture.

Over the course of the 10-day summer camp, teacher and student volunteers from Chengdu University will guide over 220 overseas Chinese teenagers on visits to attractions such as the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Kuanzhai Alley, Wuhou Shrine, Mount Qingcheng, and Eastern Suburb Memory, as well as historical and cultural blocks. Participants will have an in-depth experience of traditional Chinese culture and fully embrace the charm of Sichuan's landscapes and the culture of the "Land of Abundance."