Minqing traditional culture to venture abroad and gain fame

On October 31, the Fine Traditional Chinese Culture Study Center for Overseas Chinese Worldwide was unveiled in Minqing County, Fuzhou, a county with a history of more than 1,000 years. The center will serve as both an important window for overseas Chinese to gain knowledge of Minqing, and rites and music culture, and a platform to help Minqing culture “venture abroad” and spread fine traditional Chinese culture across the globe.

As a key hometown of overseas Chinese in Fujian Province, Minqing County in Fuzhou boasts a time-honored history in terms of emigration, where a unique advantage in cultural ties has been fostered in long-time interaction with overseas Chinese. 390,000 overseas Chinese, who originate from Minqing, are currently split among 57 countries and regions. The strength and resources of these overseas Chinese have long been driving the development of Minqing. Generations of overseas Chinese originating from Minqing have worked diligently and committed to spreading Chinese culture abroad, and given back to their hometown in different ways. Wong Nai Siong, an overseas Chinese leader in modern times, was an outstanding representative.

Minqing County in Fuzhou has painstakingly built the study center to enable overseas Chinese worldwide to be equipped with fine traditional Chinese culture, which falls into precious spiritual assets. In addition to promoting rites and music culture, and highlighting its history of overseas Chinese, Minqing County has adopted innovative means of communication to enhance the popularity of Minqing culture in foreign countries. Featured events such as the reading party aimed at knowing more about Minqing and overseas Chinese, and rites and music-related activities will be held on a regular basis. Participants can read related texts to deepen their understanding of the spirit behind the hometown of overseas Chinese, and watch rites and music-related exhibitions and performances to have more sympathy.

Zhang Shiguo, permanent honorable director of the World Federation of Fuzhou Association LTD, noted that nobody knew more keenly than him how overseas Chinese desperately desired for cultural identity as he has lived abroad for decades. The founding of the Study Center has erected a platform to “seek roots” despite cultural differences. The center can help our countrymen living abroad to deepen their cultural identity, and accept and become fond of their ancestral culture from the bottom of their heart no matter when they study ancient Chinese culture, appreciate intangible cultural heritage, or pay visits to Minqing.  (Tan Xiangzhu)