(News from Zhangshang Meizhou) A more than 80-member delegation from the Hong Kong Overseas Chinese General Association (HKOCGA) visited Meizhou from June 22 to June 24. The delegation was headed by Yu Kwok Chun, former member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the CPPCC, vice chairman of All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and president of Hong Kong-based Yue Hwa Chinese Products Emporium Ltd. Ma Zhengyong, municipal Party secretary, Wang Hui, mayor and Wang Qingli, vice municipal Party secretary met the key members of the delegation.

During the stay in Meizhou, the delegation members visited successively the Hakka Museum of China, Meizhou City Exhibition Hall, Memorial Park of Ye Jianying, Memorial Hall (Former Residence) of Zhang Rongxuan, China’s only Immigrant Memorial Plaza in Songkou, Ship Wharf in the Ancient Town of Songkou, Ancestral Residence of Shing-Tung Yau, Shing-Tung Yau International Conference Center and Changtan Tourist Spot, and acquainted themselves with such achievements in economic development of Meizhou as business environment, citywide tourism, conservation of Hakka culture, protective development of the national culturally and historically famous town and rural vitalization. 

 Yu Kwok Chun noted that overseas Chinese in Hong Kong, an important component of worldwide overseas Chinese, have made steady progress in promoting “One Country, Two Systems”, and played a positive role in advancing the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area integration. The event was aimed at enabling overseas Chinese in Hong Kong to know more about the Chinese mainland, particularly their hometown. They could see first-hand what is happening in the modern China and with the people, and realize China is a thriving and promising country, thus bolstering their confidence in the future of China and the Chinese nation. In addition to expressing their homesickness, the members desired to find opportunities to invest in Meizhou to pursue common development. Overseas Chinese will continue to contribute their share to make Meizhou and China’s voice better heard.         

Cui Yi, member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and director of the Municipal Department of United Front Work, and deputy mayor Chen Lingli accompanied the delegation in certain visits.

(Correspondent: Su Wei  Photo by Tang Weiqing and Fan Yuxiong)