On July 19, 2023, the 2023 "Journey to Rediscover Chinese Roots" Summer Camp in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, officially began. This camp is hosted by the China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, coordinated by the Jiangsu Provincial Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, and organized by the Zhenjiang Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese. The Jiangsu University Language and Culture Center is a co-organizer. This event has received strong support from various units, including the Zhenjiang Municipal Committee's Propaganda Department, United Front Work Department, Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports, Zhenjiang Cultural Tourism Group, Zhenjiang Tourism Association, and the Jiangsu Overseas Chinese Cultural Exchange Base.

Thirty-two young overseas Chinese participants from the United States (Chinese School of Greater Philadelphia), Germany (Deutsch-Chinesische Schule), and Spain (Centro Educativo Chino en España) gathered at Jiangsu University to kick off their one-week journey of rediscovering their Chinese roots in Zhenjiang.

Zhenjiang, as one of China's historical and cultural cities, is an important birthplace of Wu culture and boasts rich historical and cultural resources. Cultural stories like Liu Bei's marriage proposal and the legend of Jinshan Temple have been widely circulated, and renowned literary works such as "Zhao Ming's Selection" and "The Heart of Chinese Art" were created here. During their seven-day journey, participants can fully experience the local customs and lively cultural stories of Zhenjiang.

This summer camp leverages the organic combination of Zhenjiang's distinctive regional culture and China's outstanding traditional culture. It comprehensively integrates three aspects: field visits, classroom teaching, and cultural exchange. The participants will visit famous historical and cultural sites in Zhenjiang, such as Jinshan Temple Park, Xijin Ancient Ferry, and the Mie Fei Calligraphy Park. These visits will be complemented with classroom cultural knowledge sessions covering topics such as the legend of Bai She and Jinshan Temple, as well as the origin of Chinese characters. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to learn traditional crafts like "Tai Ping Ni Jiao Jiao," participate in making dumplings, learn calligraphy, and craft Chinese knots, among other cultural immersion experiences.

To welcome the participants, the staff and students of the Jiangsu University Language and Culture Center had detailed and thorough discussions and arrangements regarding accommodations, schedules, personal safety, and more. When the participants left Nanjing, the staff had already turned on the air conditioning in their rooms to cool them down. Upon arrival, representatives from the Jiangsu Provincial Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, the Zhenjiang Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, and Jiangsu University's School of Literature visited the teachers in charge of the camp. They inquired about accommodation preferences and demonstrated how to adjust the air conditioning temperature and use meal cards. Additionally, laundry services were provided for the participants. To offer the students more flexibility, the co-organizing units provided them with Jiangsu University's meal cards, allowing them to experience university life to the fullest.

Jiang Yonghua, the Vice Dean of the School of Literature at Jiangsu University and Vice Director of the Language and Culture Center, personally played promotional videos about the campus and Chinese language teaching for the participants. These videos showcased the outstanding achievements of Chinese civilization in terms of international exchange and mutual learning, hoping that young overseas Chinese could actively experience and communicate during the summer camp, appreciate Zhenjiang's cultural beauty, and deepen their understanding and knowledge of Chinese culture.

Just as tall trees have deep roots, and flowing rivers have their sources, this activity adheres to the principles of openness, inclusiveness, and bridging the East and West. It interprets the charm of Chinese culture from multiple dimensions, enhances the understanding of overseas Chinese youth about their home country, and promotes interaction and exchange with the new generation of overseas Chinese and overseas Chinese.