Chen Sihan, Primary 5, Dongyou Primary School

It was such an honor for my classmates and me today to visit the Fuqing Overseas Chinese Museum Liem Sioe Liong Memorial Hall. Stepping into the memorial hall at the Overseas Chinese Park, known as the “Green Lounge” because of its lush greens, of Haikou Town, a millennia-old historic town in Fuqing, I was immediately enveloped by the weight of history. Faded photographs, aged letters, and precious artifacts... were silent narrative of the extraordinary life of Mr. Liem Sioe Liong.

According to the docent, Mr. Liem was born in 1917 into an ordinary farming family in Niuzhai Village. In 1937, when Japan launched its full-scale invasion of China, he was forced to leave his hometown and venture across the ocean to make a living in Indonesia. Through wisdom, diligence, exceptional courage, and keen insight, he built a vast business empire in a foreign land. What moved me most was his profound love for his homeland. Though living abroad, he kept his roots in mind. He built bridges and roads, donated to support education, established factories in his hometown, created jobs, and tirelessly contributed to Fuqing’s development with tangible actions.

Mr. Liem’s legendary life taught me this: No matter how far one travels, one must never forget their roots; no matter how great one’s achievements, one must always give back to society. His spirit will forever inspire me to strive forward.

Chen Xinlan, Primary 6, Dongyou Primary School

After visiting the Fuqing Overseas Chinese Museum Liem Sioe Liong Memorial Hall, my heart remains unsettled.

Mr. Liem Sioe Liong’s dramatic and legendary life moved me profoundly. His great love and dedication to his hometown filled me with reverence. Born into an ordinary farming family, he started from nothing in a foreign land yet built a vast business empire through sharp vision and unwavering perseverance. What truly touched me was that even after achieving monumental success, he never lost his humble heart. Guided by deep nostalgia for his homeland, he gave back through concrete actions: funding schools to light the lamp of knowledge for students, investing in infrastructure, and propelling his hometown’s progress.

Standing before the old photos of projects he donated, I felt the burning patriotism and sense of responsibility embodied by overseas Chinese. This visit was not just a journey through history, it was a spiritual awakening. Mr. Liem Sioe Liong is the "star" we, the new generation, should look up to. His enterprising spirit and heartfelt attachment to his roots will inspire me to strive forward, shoulder social responsibility and write my own chapter of contribution in the tide of our times.