On Aug 21, the First Fujian-Macao College Student Exchange Camp, hosted by Fukien Natives General Association of Macao, and sponsored by the Macao Foundation, officially commenced at the Wang Yuanxing International Conference Center of Huaqiao University (HQU).

The opening ceremony was attended by Yin Xiaolan, First-Class researcher of the Coordination Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macao S.A.R; Song Pek Kei, Executive Chairman of the Fukien Natives General Association of Macao; ChanSin Man, Council Memberof City University of Macao; Chang Qing, Director of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (affiliated to the Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Xiamen Municipal Government); Wang Xiuyong, Vice President of HQU, and heads of relevant departments.

Wang Xiuyong extended a warm welcome to the exchange camp and introduced the history and mission of HQU, the educational policies and advantages in relation to Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan students, and the patriotic education system in China in terms of “Knowledge, Consciousness and Action”. Wang also expressed his hope that the students will enhance mutual understanding, develop friendship, thus serving as a bridge to promote exchanges and dialogues between Fujian and Macao.

Song Pek Kei, on behalf of the Fukien Natives General Association of Macao, expressed gratitude to HQU and gave a brief talk about the last 35 years of development history of the association. She said that the camp gave students the opportunity to broaden their horizons to experience things first hand, learn outside the classroom, expand personal networks, so as to fuel their dreams and make greater contributions to society. Chan Sin Man, as the head of this summer camp, conferred the camp flag to the representative student.

On the same day, the campers visited HQU History Museum and Siduan Heritage Museum where they got a chance to learn about HQU, the history of overseas Chinese, the cultures of their ancestral hometowns and the patriotism among overseas Chinese. Then they attended a lecture on “World Heritage in China” by Luo Wenwei, Vice Dean of the School of Marxism, which enrich their understanding of historical and cultural heritage of China. The participants also had a discussion with some HQU student representatives to exchange their perspectives on various topics such as hobbies, cultural adaptation, academic planning, and career goals.

It is a five-day camp that starts at HQU. In the following days, 30 teachers and students from Fujian and Macao will visit not only some places of interest in Fujian such as Gulangyu, Kaiyuan Temple, Wulin Ancient Village, but also some well-known enterprises like Antain a bid to experience the diversity, inclusiveness, an unyielding spirit and the courage to strive for success in Minnan (southern Fujian Province) culture.

Opening Ceremony

Campers Visiting HQU History Museum

Lecture Attending

Meeting Between Fujian and Macao Students

(Editor: Wei Linying)