On the afternoon of 25th July, the closing ceremony of the 2023 "China Root-Seeking Tour" Summer Camp was held at Jiangsu University in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province. Lan Wang, a cadre of Overseas Chinese Federation of Jiangsu Province, Wang Yongxin, Chairman of Overseas Chinese Federation of Zhenjiang City, Huang Bei, Vice Chairman of Overseas Chinese Federation of Zhenjiang City, Qu Yunjin, Secretary of the Party Committee of College of Arts and Letters of Jiangsu University, Jiang Yonghua, Vice Dean of the College of Arts and Letters and Deputy Director of Language and Culture Centre attended the closing ceremony.
Wang Yongxin, chairman of Zhenjiang Overseas Chinese Federation, said in his speech at the closing ceremony that China's development is rapidly changing, and he hoped that the majority of young people of overseas Chinese descent can return to their country of origin more often to visit, study and exchange, and to enhance their sense of identity, belonging and pride in Chinese culture.
"A special welcome to our campers who will be able to come and study at Jiangsu University in the future and become part of JNU, which will also become your home! Please remember that there is a beautiful city on the south bank of the Yangtze River, it is called Zhenjiang. There is a century-old institution of learning, it is Jiangsu University. I will wait for you at Jiangsu University." So said Secretary Qu Yunjin.
At the closing ceremony, leaders, campers and volunteers gathered together and brought the camp to a perfect end with songs and dances.
To express their gratitude to the organisers and volunteers of the " China Root-Seeking Tour " summer camp, two campers from Hwa Hsia Chinese School in the United States, Linlin Huang and Jiaxin Zuo, spent six hours drawing paintings based on the themes of Jinshan Temple in Zhenjiang and the Legend of the White Snake.
The campers from the Spanish Chinese Education Centre, in turn, made a pictorial poster as a gift for all the volunteers.
The closing ceremony also held award ceremonies for the fun games, recitation contests and outstanding campers in the Zhenjiang camp, and the three schools presented silk flags to the provincial and municipal overseas Chinese associations and the College of Letters (Language and Culture Centre).
It is worth mentioning that this "China Roots Journey" summer camp is the first offline since the three-year epidemic. Thirty-two young people of Chinese descent from the United States (U.S. Huaxia Chinese School), Germany (German Hanhua Chinese School) and Spain (Spanish Chinese Education Centre) gathered at Jiangsu University for a week-long exchange visit and cultural experience. The campers expressed that they were impressed by the wisdom of their ancestors and proud of the rapid development of their home country! And they hoped that they could bring their classmates and friends to China and Zhenjiang again in the future.
Eddie Bai, the leader of the Spanish Centre for Chinese Language Education, said that the Zhenjiang camp was very thoughtful and meticulous in terms of accommodation, itinerary, cultural experience, etc., and the care and attention given to the campers was extremely appreciated. In the Zhenjiang camp, the "endless blue lotus leaves" and "full-eye view of Beigulou" in the classroom were transformed into concrete feelings. "I hope I can come to Zhenjiang and Jiangsu University again in the future."
The Zhenjiang Camp was guided by China Overseas Chinese Federation, hosted by Jiangsu Overseas Chinese Federation, undertaken by Zhenjiang Overseas Chinese Federation and co-organised by Jiangsu University Language and Culture Centre. At the same time, the activities are also supported by the Propaganda Department of Zhenjiang Municipal Party Committee, the United Front Work Department of Zhenjiang Municipal Party Committee, Zhenjiang City Bureau of Culture, Radio and Television, Zhenjiang City Culture and Tourism Group, Zhenjiang City Tourism Association, and in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, Overseas Chinese Culture and Exchange Base and other units.
