In December 2024, Mr. Lin Wu, the nephew of Indonesian overseas Chinese Entrepreneur Mr. Mintardjo Halim, led overseas-born descendants on a long journey back to their ancestral hometown of Fuqing to trace their roots. As part of the homecoming, their relatives in China prioritized a visit to the Liem Sioe Liong Memorial Hall as an important activity.

Lin Wu worked in the Higher Education Department of Fujian Province in his early years and currently resides in Australia. Years of overseas life have not diminished his attachment to his hometown and his respect for his ancestors. By bringing his descendants back this time, he aimed to pass down his family legacy and deep connection to the ancestral land. 

Guided by the docent, Lin Wu and his family members toured the four exhibition halls. In front of an old photograph displayed at the "Settling in Kudus" section in Hall 1, Lin Wu pointed out the figure of his ancestor Lin Wenhua to his family, and recounted the story of how Lin Wenhua together with Liem Sioe Liong and two brothers started their business ventures and gave back to their hometown.

As they reached the display panel dedicated to Lin Wenhua and Mintardjo Halim (Lin Guomin), father and son, at the "Contributions by Fuqing Clansmen" section in Hall 3, Lin Wu and his family members carefully looked at the photos and read the descriptions of their relatives, occasionally exchanging a few words in low voices.

At "the International Association of Fuqing Clansmen" section in Hall 4, a group photo of council members of the Melbourne World Friendship Association of Fuging caught Lin Wu's attention. They recognized these members, and seeing familiar faces made them feel a deep sense of warmth and connection.

For the younger generation, the visit was undoubtedly a profound emotional experience. They gained a direct sense of the hardships their ancestors endured while venturing to Southeast Asia to build their lives from scratch. From the struggles of starting with nothing, to the grand ambitions of navigating the business world, and finally to the altruistic acts of giving back to their hometown, every detail deeply captivated them. This journey of tracing their roots not only facilitated the passing down of family memories but also planted the seeds of cultural identity in the hearts of the younger generation, with the hope of seeing them flourish in the future.

Photograph/Text: Liem Sioe Liong Memorial Hall