Facilitated by Fuqing’s Haikou Town Committee for the Care of the Next Generation, representatives of Primary 3 to Primary 6 pupils of Dongyou Primary School visited the Liem Sioe Liong Memorial Hall for a study tour on 1 July.  

Guided by docents, the visitors comprising retired veteran cadres of Haikou Town Committee for the Care of the Next Generation, retired teachers as well as Dongyou Primary School teachers and pupils, toured the four exhibition halls in an orderly manner. Standing in front of the reconstructed wharf scene in Hall 1, looking at vintage wooden suitcases and yellowed newspapers while listening to vivid storytelling by the docent, the pupils began to understand the arduous journey of their ancestors who ventured to Southeast Asia to making a living. 

In front of the large electronic screen in Hall 2, pupils attentively watched an animated presentation showcasing over a dozen major industries that the Salim Group operates in Southeast Asia. All of them are closely tied to urban life, enhancing their understanding of city operations. The virtual interactive buttons on the screen further boosted pupil engagement.

The comparative display of past and present photos of the hometown of the diaspora Chinese in Hall 3 visually highlighted Fuqing’s transformative development. Pupils gained deeper insight into the selfless contributions made by eminent overseas Chinese, represented by Mr. Liem Sioe Liong, to their hometowns. This segment served as an immersive history lesson. One girl remarked to her classmate, " Mr. Liem Sioe Liong was truly remarkable! I aspire to be like him."

At the end of the tour, Dongyou Primary School Principal Chen Zhuqin reflected: "Haikou Town, steeped in history and culture, has nurtured countless outstanding figures. Mr. Liem Sioe Liong was a shining example. He built up his business empire from scratch, remained devoted to his hometown and gave back generously. He continues to inspire us. His life is both a living textbook for the young and a vivid role model. Bringing pupils here, we aim to ignite their aspirations, planting seeds of purpose in their hearts. We hope this visit will motivate them to study hard and contribute to society and serve the people in the future as Mr. Liem did." Principal Chen also expressed gratitude to the retired veterans of the Haikou Town Committee for the Care of the Next Generation for their tireless efforts in planning and facilitating this impactful event.

Text: Lan Zhenhua

Photograph: Hong Ning