MORE than 1,000 people, hailing originally from Chaoshan but residing in various parts of the world, gathered in Shenzhen during the weekend for the annual international Chaoshan youth fraternity convention.

The attendees, from around the mainland and 18 other countries and regions, included founder of Nanyang Commercial Bank Zhuang Shiping, former Guangdong Party chief Lin Ruo, renowned economist and Beijing University professor Xiao Zhuoji and Tencent board chairman Ma Huateng. An economic forum, a painting exhibition, a cultural forum and a briefing on business opportunities were held Saturday and yesterday on the sidelines of the conference.

Shenzhen Mayor Xu Zong- heng, who is not from Chaoshan but attended the convention Saturday, said Shenzhen is one of the cities where a large number of Chaoshan migrants live, and Chaoshan people have contributed a lot to Shenzhen's development. Xiao and Ma also spoke at the economic forum, offering their ideas on the Chinese economy and Internet business models respectively.

Chaoshan, consisting of Shantou, Chaozhou, Jieyang and Shanwei cities in eastern Guangdong, has its own distinctive dialect and culture. With a population of over 20 million all over the world, Chaozhou people are famous for their keen business acumen, their hard work and their entrepreneurial spirit.

Distinguished businessmen originating from Chaoshan include Li Ka-shing, the richest man in Asia, Huang Guangyu, the richest man on the Chinese mainland and many others.

The fraternity convention has been held every two years since 1999. It has been held in Hong Kong, Paris and Montreal. This conference marked the first time the gathering was held on the Chinese mainland.

"We come here not only for the development of our hometown, but also for the strengthening of Chinese cohesiveness," said Lin Jinwen, head of Australian association of Chaoshan people.

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Editor: Wing