From May 1st to 5th, a team of overseas Chinese students in Huaqiao University (HQU) went on a study tour in western Fujian to trace revolutionary footsteps of the Comunist Party of China (CPC) and experience the red culture and Hakka culture. The trip to Sanming and Longyan has attracted 20 students from Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Their first stop is Skyline Aviation’s science education base at Shaxian county of Sanming, where they viewed different models of fixed wing aircraft and drones, learned about the history of China’s aviation industry, and sampled simulated flight.
On the second day, the students arrived at Lingxia village in the neighboring Taining county for a visit of “Three Don’t Forgets” Hall, a theme hall named after a concept put forward by President Xi Jinping in 1999, the then Vice Secretary of Fujian Provincial Committee of the CPC, to evoke memories of the contributions of predecessors in the old revolutionary base areas. At the family tradition and instruction hall and the rice wine institute, the students saw for themselves the past and present of a village with revolutionary legacies.
Zhongfu village of Changting county in Longyan is the place where the 9th Army of the CWPRA (Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army, aka. The Red Army) embarked on the milestone Long March (1934-36), and the site of the Battle of Songmaoling (1934), a pivotal battle fought just before the year-long military retreat. Here the young visitors were impressed by the determination and actions of the brave western Fujian people in the revolution, as they acquainted themselves with the fierce battle, crossed the Red Army Bridge, and recaptured the excitement of pep rally for the long journey.
The last leg of the study tour is a small town in Longyan -- Gutian, the holy land of Chinese revolution, for it is the site of Gutian Meeting (1929), an important event in the history of the CPC and key to the survival and development of the Red Army. Young visitors presented flower baskets to the statue of Chairman Mao, and attended a special lecture on the glory and spirit of the Gutian Meeting.
The study tour also included hands-on activities and sightseeing for an immersive experience of the Hakka culture and scenery in western Fujian. The students experienced the local Nuo culture by learning Nuo dance skills and color painting the masks, and tried to make local specialties like rice wine and wonton. They also visited Dajin Lake and Shangqing River.
Chinese-Malaysian student Wang Huiying from the School of Economics and Finance seemed to enjoy the five-day trip. “It’s a rewarding tour. Being there in person allows me to better understand Chinese culture and China’s revolutionary history. I’ve seen the beauty of China myself. I am willing to pass on Chinese culture and tell China’s stories well.”
The red tour aims to present a true and multi-dimensional view of China to overseas Chinese students through first-hand experience of China’s revolutionary spirit and revolutionary path as well as the Chinese path to modernization, so that they will understand China better and put knowledge into action.

Visiting the Site of the Gutian Meeting

Visiting Lingxia Village

Visiting Zhongfu Village
(Editor: Wei Linying)