Visiting Jiageng’s hometown- “The cradle of overseas Chinese” continues to build bridges of people-to-people ties

As the 150th anniversary of the birth of Chen Jiageng approaches, we step into Xiamen’s Jimei School Village to explore the legacy of this renowned patriotic overseas Chinese leader.

Chen Jiageng was born on October 21, 1874, in Jimei. At the young age of seven, he left with his father for Singapore, where he grew to become a prominent business figure among the Chinese diaspora in Southeast Asia. In 1913, driven by a deep desire to contribute to education and his homeland, Chen returned from Nanyang and established Jimei Primary School, laying the foundation for what would become Jimei School Village.

The beauty of Jimei School Village lies in its unique architectural style—characterized by traditional “Jia Geng tiles,” swallow-tail ridges, red brick walls, and sloped roofs—reflecting a rich cultural history. “Our campus covers over a hundred acres and features twenty buildings designed in the Jia Geng style, all supervised by Chen Jiageng himself,” says Hu Jiangang, dean of the Huawen College at Huaqiao University. He recalls vividly how Chen, using a cane, meticulously inspected every brick and construction site.

From 1913 onwards, Chen established 118 schools in Jimei, among which the Jimei Overseas Chinese Students’ Tutorial School served as a predecessor of the Huawen College. Unlike his other institutions, this school was dubbed the “cradle for overseas Chinese students,” primarily aimed at helping returning students refresh their knowledge to pursue higher education in China.

“This institution is truly unique and reflects Chen Jiageng’s far-sightedness and his continuous consideration for young overseas Chinese,” Hu explains. The tutorial school and the Huawen College have collectively trained over 60,000 talented individuals in various languages and cultures from more than a hundred countries.

Hu believes that the “Jia Geng buildings,” often adorned with traditional straw hats and modern suits, epitomize Chen’s innovative spirit of blending Eastern and Western cultures. His entrepreneurial experience in Southeast Asia and his broad international outlook, coupled with a practical and exploratory mindset, sparked a distinctive creativity in his architectural design and educational framework.

In 1997, responding to the rapid development of overseas Chinese education, the Jimei Overseas Chinese Students’ Tutorial School officially integrated into Huaqiao University, aligning with the university’s Department of Chinese Language for International Students to establish the Huawen College, thereby opening a new chapter in Chinese language education.

The college has since expanded its programs, offering a comprehensive educational system that encompasses associate, undergraduate, and master’s degrees. Its student body has grown beyond overseas Chinese to include domestic students, international students, and foreign officials seeking short-term training in China. This evolving institution has established a multi-dimensional framework for the dissemination of Chinese culture, bridging the gap between China and the world.

Among the students is Mei Hengshan, a Burmese Chinese student who came to the Huawen College to master the Chinese language. “I’m deeply inspired by Chen Jiageng’s patriotism and innovative spirit. His belief that education is the foundation of a nation resonates with me,” he shares.

Another student, Wang Keyi from Indonesia, works as a clerk and translator for the Xiangyu Group in Xiamen and participates in a Chinese language immersion camp organized by Huaqiao University. “Watching Chinese films sparked my interest in China, leading to my desire to study here,” she says. Wang adds that learning Chinese has not only increased her income but also enriched her personal growth.

Huaqiao University’s Huawen College has developed a comprehensive talent cultivation system while fostering a deep, broad, and high-level framework for Chinese language education, creating new bridges for mutual understanding between China and the world.