On the second day of the 2024 ASEAN Cultural Day in the Capital of Overseas Chinese, a delegation of consular officials in Guangzhou from 8 ASEAN countries, as well as student representatives from ASEAN countries in Guangdong, arrived in Taishan, a well-known "hometown of overseas Chinese".
Mrs. Cristine Agustina Siregar, Consul of the Republic of Indonesia in Guangzhou, noted in an interview with GDToday that she saw some cultural similarities between Chinese and Indonesia. "When I looked into the pattern, I saw the similarity of the pattern. Because in Indonesia we have a Chinese influence due to the exchange in ancient times," she said. Mrs. Cristine also said she hoped to see more exchanges during the China-ASEAN Year of People-to-people Exchanges, which will strengthen the partnership and friendship between China and ASEAN member countries.
Since 2024 marks the 50th Anniversary of China and Malaysia Establishing Diplomatic Ties, Ms. Cornelia Chin Siew Ling, Consul of Malaysia in Guangzhou, recognized this trip to Jiangmen as a timely and meaningful one. "Jiangmen is home to one of the largest communities of overseas Chinese, with a lot of Malaysians being able to trace their roots back to this area." Ms. Cornelia told GDToday. She was also convinced that Jiangmen could be a bridge to deepen the bilateral ties between China and Malaysia.
MUI JING YI, a Chinese Malaysian student originally from Taishan, paid a visit to Wufeng Village and felt the sense of belonging over there. "This is my first time back in Taishan. I'm really excited to get to know more of my history, of my family, and my ancestral homeland." MUI JING YI told GDToday.
The event was held in light of the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-people Exchanges. The delegation paid visits to Guangdong ONEN New-resource Equipments Co., Ltd, and Wubingliang Huanghuali Art Museum.
Reporter | Jersey, Manqi (intern)
Video | Pan Jiajun
Editor | Steven, Nina, James
