On 28 March, Tu Rong, Party Secretary of Fujian Polytechnic Normal University, visited the Fuqing Overseas Chinese Museum Liem Sioe Liong Memorial Hall to learn more about the life, achievements and patriotic spirit of renowned overseas Chinese leader Mr. Liem Sioe Liong. Mayor of Haikou Town Chen Keyi and Party Secretary of Niuzhai Village in Haikou Town Lin Huiming attended the event.

Inside the memorial hall, Tu Rong and his delegation toured the four themed exhibition halls. Through photographs, videos, restored historical scenes, archival documents and other precious exhibits, they gained an in-depth understanding of the rich cultural resources of Fuqing, a hometown of overseas Chinese, and delved into the legendary life of Mr. Liem Sioe Liong, characterized by his “deep love for his motherland, dedication to benefiting his hometown, passion for education, and boundless compassion”.

Tu Rong emphasized that Mr. Liem Sioe Liong was a source of pride for both Fujianese entrepreneurs and the people of Fuqing. His life served as a vivid testament to courage, wisdom and responsibility, leaving behind invaluable spiritual wealth and life lessons worthy of study and admiration by future generations.

Following the visit, Tu Rong put forward four recommendations for the university’s related work:

1. Effectively narrate the stories of overseas Chinese leaders through innovative communication methods by leveraging modern technology and new media platforms to vividly showcase the struggles and inspiring deeds of Mr. Liem Sioe Liong and other overseas Chinese pioneers.

2. Deepen the research on overseas Chinese by fully utilizing the strengths of academic platforms such as the Hometown of Overseas Chinese (Fujian Polytechnic Normal University) Research Center, Institute for Indonesian Research, and Overseas Chinese and Chinese-Foreign Cultural Integration Research Center; integrating university resources to form research teams, conduct thematic studies, and facilitate academic exchanges; systematically combing through and documenting the struggles, contributions and impacts of overseas Chinese of Fuqing descent across different historical periods; accelerating the development of think tank outcomes to support the China-Indonesia “Two Countries, Twin Parks” initiative, while preserving and promoting the cultural essence of the hometown of overseas Chinese.

3. Promote the spirit of overseas Chinese by guiding young university students to embrace the values of overseas Chinese through classroom education, student club activities, themed lectures and academic seminars, fostering a stronger sense of social responsibility and mission among the youth.

4. Strengthen exchanges with overseas Chinese by enhancing communication and collaboration with Fuqing-origin overseas Chinese, associations, enterprises and schools to garner their support for the university’s development; continuously elevating the institution’s internationalization standards and influence, and jointly cultivating high-quality specialized talents.

The heads of the University’s Party and Administration Office, Publicity Department, United Front Work Department, Hometown of Overseas Chinese (Fujian Polytechnic Normal University) Research Center, and Institute for Indonesian Research participated in the visit.

Text: Fujian Polytechnic Normal University

Photograph: Hong Ning