Gutian, -the first hometown of overseas Chinese in Eastern Fujian-, held a Mid-Autumn Festival symposium for overseas Chinese and Taiwan compatriots (belonging to the clouds)
On September 10, as the crisp autumn air mingled with the sweet scent of osmanthus blooms, Gutian County in Ningde City, Fujian Province, hosted an online seminar titled “A Full Moon Over Mid-Autumn: Talking About Our Hometown,” bringing together over twenty leaders from the overseas Chinese community and Taiwanese compatriots via video link. The event was co-sponsored by the local Overseas Chinese Federation, the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, and the Taiwan Affairs Office, creating a meaningful space for individuals to share their sentiments about their hometowns.
The organizers emphasized that the seminar was not just a celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival but also a vital platform for connecting overseas Chinese and Taiwanese with their roots, fostering collaboration aimed at the development of Gutian County.
Gutian County stands out as a significant hub for overseas Chinese in Fujian Province. Recent statistics reveal that approximately 350,000 overseas Chinese from Gutian reside in over fifty countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and South Africa. Additionally, the county is home to more than 100,000 returned overseas Chinese and their families, making up 80% of Ningde City’s overseas population. This has led to Gutian being recognized as “The Premier Overseas Chinese Hometown in Eastern Fujian.”
In recent years, Gutian County has actively broadened its outreach efforts. The local overseas Chinese affairs department has maintained close connections with overseas compatriots and organizations, facilitating trips back home for those seeking their roots. They have organized summer and winter camps for Chinese youth abroad while promoting policies for investment and talent attraction. Furthermore, they have guided overseas Chinese in starting their own businesses. The Overseas Chinese Affairs Office has effectively acted as a bridge to address the concerns of overseas citizens, while the Taiwan Affairs Office has organized cultural exchanges at its Taiwan base to nurture relations across the strait.
Qian Shihao, Executive Vice President of the Ghana Fujian Chamber of Commerce, shared insights on the significance of traditional festivals, stating that they serve as a powerful bond for overseas Chinese communities. He remarked that celebrating such festivals together not only promotes but also preserves the rich legacy of Chinese culture, ultimately supporting the development of their hometowns.
