"It is the place where the Han River, Rong River, and Lian River converge. Our longing for our hometown is eternal. Teochew people can be found in every corner of the world. We are all united by this unique identity." At the opening ceremony of the 22nd Teochew International Convention and the 10th World Chaoshan Entrepreneurs Convention (the "Two Grand Events"), an original, heartfelt song titled Nian (Remembrance) and a touching sand art performance brought tears to the eyes of the Teochew expatriates in attendance.
From November 18 to 20, 2024, the 22nd International Teochew Convention and the 10th World Chaoshan Entrepreneurs Convention, themed "Teochew Gathering, Heading Towards Shantou", were held in Shantou. These two prestigious events brought together 2,800 representatives from 266 Chaoshan associations and business communities across 32 countries and regions. This marked the largest global gathering of Teochew people to date, with the highest number of participating organizations, the broadest representation, the widest geographical reach, and the most fruitful outcomes.
(Photo: Wu Caiqian)
The venues for the "Two Grand Events" in Shantou with Teochew cultural elements
As one of the first batch of special economic zones in China, Shantou was established and prospered thanks to its overseas compatriots, relying on the close ties between the vast number of overseas Chinese from the Chaoshan region and their hometowns, establishing economic and trade relations with more than 180 countries and regions. These global Teochew communities have been witnesses, participants, and drivers of Shantou's reform, opening-up, and modernization. They continue to be an indispensable and vital force, providing a significant advantage as the city embarks on a new journey of high-quality development.
Looking back at 2024, Shantou hosted two prestigious events, further enriching its narrative of overseas Chinese. This city has transformed its advantage as the home of Teochew expatriates into a driving force for high-quality development. Key achievements include the launch of the "Overseas Guest Street" project, with foreign trade and economic agreements totaling over 9 billion yuan in investments; the reception of 400 group visits from 3,700 overseas Chinese; and the expansion of its network of international sister cities. Platforms such as the Chaoshan Medical Think Tank and the Chaoshan Educational Think Tank continued to attract talent and expertise, while Chinese language education programs benefited 1.59 million people. Cultural initiatives, such as the cultural exhibitions of qiaopi (letters and remittances sent by overseas Chinese) in other countries and the Hong Kong-Macao Campus Tour, received enthusiastic responses. These efforts have strengthened the sense of identity and belonging among new generations of overseas Chinese, enhancing their connection to their homeland and motherland.
(Photo: Wu Caiqian)
2,800 overseas Chinese gathering for Shantou's "Two Grand Events"
"The growth history of Shantou is also a history of overseas Chinese's patriotism," remarked Wen Zhanbin, Secretary of the Shantou Municipal Committee, at the opening ceremony of the "Two Grand Events". He emphasized that it is the deep affection and patriotism of Chaoshan people and businessmen that have driven Shantou's development into a special economic zone, eastern Guangdong's bright pearl, a provincial sub-center, and the main center of the Shantou Metropolitan Area.
During the opening ceremony, Mr. Li Ka-shing, as a representative of Chaoshan overseas Chinese and businessmen, expressed his deep pride in the history and local sentiment of the Chaoshan region in a video message, considering it a cumulative result of the efforts of generations of Chaoshan people that should be cherished.
"The roots of overseas Chaoshan people are in Chaoshan, and our hearts are always connected to our homeland," said Mr. Dhanin Chearavanont, Senior Chairman of the Charoen Pokphand Group and President of China Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs Association. He highlighted that the development opportunities in China, in Shantou, are also opportunities for overseas Chaoshan people.
Since 1984, when Dhanin Chearavanont invested in the first foreign-funded enterprise in Shantou, the city has attracted more than 6,000 foreign direct investment enterprises from about 44 countries and regions, and received donations from overseas Chinese, Hong Kong, and Macao compatriots totaling more than ten billion yuan. The "Two Grand Events" are not only a festival for global Chaoshan people to return home, but also a catalyst for Shantou to open its doors wider to high-level opening up to the outside world.
During the opening ceremony, Shantou launched the "Overseas Chinese Street" project and released the "Global Teochew Initiative for Building a Powerful Country and National Rejuvenation", enabling mutual support between overseas Chinese and their Chaoshan homeland at the birthplace of Teochew culture, Shantou's historic port, and the city's origins.
At the same time, this grand event also holds great significance. Investment cooperation agreements with renowned enterprises such as China Resources, Wanyang Group, China Travel Service (HK) Limited, Global Logistic Properties Limited, and Hello Inc. were signed on-site. A total of 63 projects were signed during the convention, with a total investment of 62.2 billion yuan. Additionally, 88 projects under the "Six Batches"initiative were either launched or completed during the event. These projects span key sectors, including major industries, transportation infrastructure, public services, science and innovation platforms, exhibition tourism, and initiatives related to overseas Chinese. The total investment in these projects exceeded 120 billion yuan.
Qiaopi telling new stories of the hometown of overseas Chinese
"Very romantic!" exclaimed Pung Kheav Se, president of the Federation of Khmer Chinese in Cambodia, on August 12, 2024, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He had just received a special overseas qiaopi reply from Shantou that moved him to tears. Inside was a playful rhyme that his mother had composed during her school days in Shantou, now adapted into a children's song. Alongside the letter was a card featuring his mother's school enrollment records and academic transcript.
Pung Kheav Se, president of the Federation of Khmer Chinese in Cambodia, sent out a qiaopi. (Photo: Guo Hongda)
Qiaopi, once the letters and remittances sent by overseas Chinese to their families in China, documented the difficult entrepreneurial history and strong patriotism of the older generation of overseas Chinese. Although qiaopi has been out of use for many years, the culture of remittance letters remains everlasting. In 2013, it was added to the "Memory of the World Register" and continues to thrive across borders.
Since 2023, Shantou, the heartland of qiaopi, has launched the Qiaopi Sailing Abroad Initiative, starting with the Qiaopi History and Culture Exhibition in Bangkok, Thailand, which attracted over 10,000 visitors. In August 2024, the exhibition toured Malaysia and Cambodia, drawing thousands of attendees, including representatives from Chinese community groups, prominent leaders, and teachers and students from Chinese-language schools. The exhibitions received enthusiastic responses both locally and internationally. Shortly thereafter, Shantou also hosted the Qiaopi on Campus Activity in Hong Kong and Macao, introducing the younger generation to this cultural heritage.
During the exhibition in Malaysia, Shantou's delegation, led by Wen Zhanbin, Secretary of the Shantou Municipal Committee, facilitated the signing of 33 agreements worth over 7 billion yuan. In Cambodia, Shantou signed a friendship city partnership agreement with Phnom Penh and secured 13 projects valued at more than 600 million yuan.
The implementation of these projects, along with continuous exchanges and collaborations, has not only brought overseas Chinese communities closer to their hometowns, but also created new opportunities for Shantou, the Teochew region, and China to engage in high-level international cooperation.
Using qiaopi as a bridge to connect with overseas Chinese, Shantou is actively expanding its global network, bringing together the hearts, talents, and wisdom of overseas Chinese. With the support of friendships with Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, and other countries, the city is enhancing the role of overseas Chinese on a larger scale, at higher levels, and across broader fields. In this way, Shantou continues to write new stories of mutual progress and shared prosperity.
"Overseas Chinese Street" in Shantou aims to open within this year
On the eastern coast of Guangdong, a once-quiet area has undergone significant transformation over the past decade, with towering skyscrapers rising rapidly. This is the Overseas Chinese Economic and Cultural Cooperation Experimental Zone (also known as the Shantou Overseas Experimental Zone), the only national-level development platform in China named after "Overseas Chinese" and "Culture".
In 2014, the State Council approved the establishment of the Overseas Chinese Experimental Zone within the Shantou Economic Special Zone. Ten years later, what was once tidal flats has transformed into a hub for innovation. By September 12, 2024, the "Overseas Chinese Board" had registered 701 enterprises, including seven listed on the New Third Board, one on the Growth Enterprise Market, and one that had completed its IPO. In addition, 15 enterprises have been nurtured and restructured, but have yet to switch boards, bringing the total to 24. The various financing channels and products have raised over 10.5 billion yuan, with four enterprises increasing their capital by more than 100 million yuan through the "Overseas Chinese Board". An enterprise financial scheme has issued 217 loans, totaling more than 530 million yuan.
Connect data and unite overseas Chinese for a brighter future. In 2024, the new generation of electronic information is driving innovation in the Shantou Overseas Chinese Experimental Zone, which launched the country's first dedicated cross-border digital channel pilot. Serving 600 enterprises, this initiative has led to a sevenfold year-on-year increase in the city's cross-border digital economy output. As the only economic zone in China with both international submarine cable landing stations and regional international communication hubs, Shantou is accelerating the development of a digital economy hub, promoting the integration of digital technologies with overseas Chinese resources, and establishing a green computing power node to serve the global Chinese community.
Shantou Small Park (Photo: Pan Jiajun)
Looking ahead to the new year, Wen Zhanbin, Secretary of the Shantou Municipal Committee, emphasized the necessity to unite the hearts of overseas Chinese and continue to write new chapters in the overseas Chinese stories in the new era. Overseas Chinese are a vital resource for Shantou to connect with the rest of the world and expand its openness. The city should leverage the multiplier effects of the "Two Grand Events", with a key focus on strengthening the roots, soul, and dreams of overseas Chinese, building bridges for cooperation, and broadening the convergence of interests. Shantou must take concrete action to precisely unite the overseas Chinese community, integrate their efforts into the construction of modernization, and pool their strength to contribute to high-quality development."
Looking ahead to 2025, Shantou is committed to advancing the planning and construction of Overseas Chinese Street and ensuring its successful opening within this year. The city will strengthen two-way exchanges, improve mechanisms for connecting with overseas Chinese, enhance international visits and exchanges, and further develop initiatives such as the Shantou-Hong Kong-Macao Sister School Scheme. Additionally, Shantou will work to enhance services for overseas Chinese. The city will focus on implementing ten practical measures, improving the overseas Chinese resource database, optimizing the construction of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Service Desk, and fostering a greater sense of happiness and belonging among overseas Chinese.
In terms of expanding economic and trade cooperation, Shantou aims to broaden channels for attracting businesses through the overseas Chinese community, accelerate the implementation of projects signed during the "Two Grand Events", and optimize policies that benefit the overseas Chinese community. The city will also advocate for national policies that support the development of the Shantou Economic Special Zone and prepare for the effective implementation of these policies. Additionally, Shantou plans to establish high-quality platforms for cooperation with overseas Chinese, enhance the hub functions of the Shantou Overseas Chinese Experimental Zone, and accelerate the construction of platforms such as the Shenzhen-Shantou Digital Innovation Industrial Park and the International Overseas Chinese Talent Port.
At the same time, Wen Zhanbin emphasized that Shantou, with its geographical proximity and cultural affinity to Hong Kong and Macao, shares deep-rooted connections with these regions. Many overseas Chinese from the Chaoshan region have made significant achievements and have had a great influence in Hong Kong and Macao, which constitutes a unique advantage for Shantou. Supporting the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin is not only a responsibility, but also a pressing necessity for Shantou.
Reporter | Wu Caiqian
Photo | Wu Caiqian, Guo Hongda, Pan Jiajun
Editor | Zhang Xuanzhen (Intern), Bai Xinyi (Intern), Wei Shen, James, Shen He
