Overseas Chinese Teenagers Embark on a "Poetic Zhenjiang" Roots-Seeking Journey

— The 2025 "Roots-Seeking Journey to China · Affection for China" Summer Camp Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Session Kicks Off

At 8:30 a.m. on July 17, 2025, the opening ceremony of the 2025 "Roots-Seeking Journey to China · Affection for China" Summer Camp Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Session was grandly held in the 3rd Lecture Hall of the Conference Center, Jiangsu University. Sponsored by the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, organized by the Jiangsu Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and Zhenjiang Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, and co-organized by the Language and Culture Center of Jiangsu University, the event gathered 36 overseas Chinese teenagers and accompanying teachers from Spain, Canada, the Philippines and other countries in Zhenjiang, a famous historical and cultural city, to start a 7-day roots-seeking journey of Chinese culture. Leaders and guests from relevant units including the Department of Cultural Exchange of Jiangsu Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, the Ethnic and Religious Affairs, Overseas Chinese and Taiwan Affairs Committee of Zhenjiang Municipal People's Congress, Zhenjiang Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, Zhenjiang Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, the Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese Committee of Zhenjiang Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the Zhenjiang Municipal Committee of China Zhi Gong Party, Zhenjiang Branch of Xinhua Daily, and Zhenjiang Overseas Students' Relatives Association attended the ceremony.

Professor Ren Xudong, Vice President of Jiangsu University, extended a warm welcome to all campers and accompanying teachers on behalf of the university in his speech. He introduced the university's motto of "Erudition, Seeking Truth, Moral Integrity" and its distinctive features in international education. He particularly emphasized the fruitful achievements of the School of Liberal Arts (Language and Culture Center) in integrating Chinese language learning with poetry recitation and intangible cultural heritage (ICH) experiences when hosting the "Roots-Seeking Journey" activities. He hoped that the campers would immerse themselves in Chinese civilization in the "living classroom" of Zhenjiang's landscapes and humanities, and gain precious memories.

Wang Yongxin, Chairman of Zhenjiang Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, vividly depicted the unique charm of Zhenjiang, a "Hometown of Chinese Poetry" with a 3,000-year history, in his speech. He pointed out that this is the place where the legends of Liu Bei's marriage at Ganlu Temple and the White Snake flooding Jinshan Temple took place; the birthplace of literary masterpieces The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons and Dream Pool Essays; and more importantly, the magnificent setting immortalized in Xin Qiji's poem line "Where can I gaze upon the land of my motherland? The boundless scenery spreads before Beigu Tower". He introduced that this summer camp, themed "Poetic Zhenjiang", has carefully arranged activities such as climbing Beigu Mountain, touring Huashan Village, and visiting Jingkou Sluice. It also incorporates ICH experiences including guqin playing, Song Dynasty tea ceremony, Taiping clay whistle making and armor crafting, enabling campers to deepen their understanding and recognition of Chinese culture through "learning by doing and comprehending through practicing".

Teacher Jiang Wei from Canada, the group leader, and camper Cai Hanlin from the Philippines delivered speeches respectively. Teacher Jiang Wei expressed gratitude to the organizers and anticipation for the journey. With lively and sincere words, Cai Hanlin voiced the younger generation's yearning for their ancestral homeland and eager expectation for this cultural exploration tour.

The opening ceremony featured a series of brilliant cultural performances that embodied the integration of tradition and modernity, as well as Eastern and Western cultures. Ms. Wu Yunli, a teacher from Jiangsu University, doctoral graduate of Peking University, and inheritor of the ICH guqin art, presented a free and unrestrained guqin solo Jiu Kuang (Wine Madness). Shen Xinyi, a camper from Spain, gave an engaging dance performance. Guo Boen and Guo Anya, campers from Canada, delivered a soulful male-female duet Opening the Door to the World. He Shuyao and Li Xinyi sang the famous Jiangsu folk song Jasmine Flower with deep affection. The volunteer team of Jiangsu University interpreted the sentiment of cultural roots-seeking with a heartfelt original recitation Roots-Seeking Journey at the Foot of Beigu Mountain.

Witnessed by all guests and campers, Wang Yongxin, Chairman of Zhenjiang Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, presented the camp flag, marking the official launch of the 2025 "Roots-Seeking Journey to China · Affection for China" Summer Camp Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Session. Afterwards, all leaders, guests, accompanying teachers and campers took a group photo to record this precious and wonderful opening moment.

This 7-day summer camp will offer campers an immersive cultural experience centered around the theme of "Poetic Zhenjiang". The itinerary includes climbing Beigu Mountain to reflect on Xin Qiji's famous verses, wandering along the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal to learn about canal transportation culture, and tracing the Butterfly Lovers legend under the ancient pagoda tree in Huashan Village. Campers will also engage in in-depth ICH courses such as guqin art, Song Dynasty tea ceremony, Taiping clay whistle making and armor crafting. Additionally, they will participate in rehearsing the melodrama Love Through the Ages on the Eternal Rivers and Mountains and singing Plum Blossoms in a Mountain Garden accompanied by guqin. The camp also includes visits to the China Vinegar Culture Museum and Jiangsu University History Museum, watching the movie Ne Zha 2 and writing film reviews, as well as joining a fun sports meet. Meanwhile, campers will complete the "Three Ones" activity requirements set by the Jiangsu Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese: learning to sing one Chinese song Prelude to Water Melody, watching one Chinese movie Ne Zha, and making one Chinese friend through a family day activity, so as to comprehensively improve their language skills, expression abilities and cultural literacy.

The "Roots-Seeking Journey to China · Affection for China" Summer Camp is a brand event of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, aiming to strengthen overseas Chinese teenagers' sense of identity with Chinese culture and national belonging. Relying on Zhenjiang's profound local cultural resources, the Zhenjiang Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and the Language and Culture Center of Jiangsu University have continuously built a bridge for cultural exchange and emotional connection for overseas Chinese teenagers. This summer, 36 overseas Chinese teenagers will write their youth memories as Chinese descendants in the poetic city of Zhenjiang.