In November 2024, Dr. Aimee Dawis, the eldest daughter of Mr. Didi Dawis, Chairman of the Indonesia Fujian Association Federation, lecturer of the University of Indonesia, and expert on Indonesian Chinese affairs, visited her ancestral hometown of Fuqing for the first time while attending the Forum on Development of China-Indonesia People-to-People Exchange. Amid her busy academic schedule, she made time to visit the Liem Sioe Liong Memorial Hall. 

Earlier on, upon checking into Fuqing Rongqiao Hotel, the hotel's General Manager Mdm Wu asked Dr. Aimee Dawis if she had any places in mind which she wished to visit amid her conference commitments and academic presentations. Without hesitation, she replied that she wanted to visit the Liem Sioe Liong Memorial Hall. Her father had specifically urged her to visit the memorial hall before her trip to Fuqing. 

Accompanied by General Manager Mdm Wu, Dr. Aimee Dawis visited the memorial hall and paused at the family photo wall in Hall 1. She recognized most of the individuals in the photos, feeling a deep sense of connection.

At the "Contributions by Fuqing Clansmen" section in Hall 3, the docent further elaborated that aside from Mr. Liem Sioe Liong, many other overseas Fuqing folks including Mr. Surya Wonowidjojo, Mr. Rachman Halim, Mr. The Ning King, and Mr. Didi Dawis had actively contributed to their hometown's economic and social development.

Upon hearing her father's name, Dr. Aimee Dawis smiled knowingly, her expression brimming with reverence and pride. Standing in front of her father's display panel, she looked at her father's photos and read the text, and took photos of the display panel, and even snapped a selfie with it. Below the display panel, there was a group photo of Mr. Liem Sioe Liong, Mr. The Ning King, and Mr. Didi Dawis. Dr. Aimee Dawis said with surprise that this was the first time she saw this photo.

At the "International Association of Fuqing Clansmen" section in Hall 4, Dr. Aimee Dawis read about her father succeeding Mr. Liem Sioe Liong as the sixth chairman of the association. A surge of pride washed over her, as if she could tangibly feel the responsibilities and honor of her father's generation.       

After the visit, Dr. Aimee Dawis described the trip as a deeply rewarding one. She then headed to her family's ancestral home in Limei Village, Haikou Town, to trace her roots. 

It is reported that the "Forum on Development of China-Indonesia People-to-People Exchange" held in Fuqing was jointly organized by Fujian Polytechnic Normal University and the Management Committee of Yuanhong Functional Zone of Fuzhou New District under the theme of "Diversified Exchanges and Collaborative Development: Building a China-Indonesia Community with a Shared Future". Over 300 representatives from government departments, tertiary education institutes and universities, think tanks, media, companies, and social organizations across China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Canada, and New Zealand attended the forum, and Dr. Aimee Dawis delivered a speech at the forum. She also presented her academic report "The Historical Evolution and Inspiration of Indonesian Chinese Organizations" at a forum hosted by Fujian Polytechnic Normal University, and received a warm response.   


Photograph/Text: Liem Sioe Liong Memorial Hall