The 22nd Teochew International Convention and the 10th World Chaoshan Entrepreneurs Convention were held in Shantou from November 18 to 20, when Dhanin Chearavanont, President of the China Federation of Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs and Senior Chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group (C.P. Group), returned once again to his hometown, Shantou. In an interview with GDToday, Chearavanont expressed his continued optimism about China's development and hoped that overseas Chinese would continue to support the development of their hometown.
Regarding the foreign media's hype about foreign capital withdrawing from China, Chearavanont viewed the challenge as an opportunity and reaffirmed his confidence in China. He said, "When everyone is retreating, I am moving forward. While others wait for a better time, I have already taken the lead."
"China's development opportunities and Shantou's development opportunities are also the development opportunities for overseas Chaoshan people." At the opening ceremony of the "Two Grand Events" on November 19, Chearavanont stated that the roots of overseas Chaoshan people are in Chaoshan, and their connection to their hometown is an unchanging sentiment. He pledged that C.P. Group would work with everyone to take the Chaoshan people's ventures to new heights.
Twenty-seven years ago, Chearavanont attended the 9th Teochew International Convention in Shantou, which left a deep impression on him. This year, returning to his hometown again, he was pleasantly surprised by the new look of Shantou as he drove past the new campus of Shantou University and its sports center. He remains optimistic about the city's development, saying, "Shantou boasts a bright future with its favorable environment and great development opportunities."
Chearavanont took Shantou's unique underwear industry as an example, noting that the city's complete underwear supply chain could continue to expand. He suggested that Shantou's underwear could be sold in Southeast Asia, with Thailand as the first stop for full promotion, eventually realizing peer-to-peer selling. For Shantou's distinctive toy industry, he recommended focusing on innovative strategies to strengthen sales.
In his view, the "Two Grand Events" serve as a rare platform for exchange, where Chaoshan people from around the world can share their experience and wisdom, thus creating more cooperative development opportunities. He also suggested that relevant departments should strengthen the platform, saying, "If everyone is willing to invest, it's important for the Shantou Municipal Government and the entire Chaoshan region to offer appropriate support."
On the evening of November 19, Chearavanont watched Chao opera at the Guangdong Chao Opera Institute, delaying his return trip to Thailand. The wonderful performance reminded him of his childhood when he used to listen to Chao opera with his mother. Back then, the audience sat very close to the stage, allowing them to see every detail clearly. Today, the performance venues have become larger, and Chearavanont believes that Chao opera needs faster reform to attract more young people to preserve this traditional culture.
During his visit to Shantou, Chearavanont's primary concern was still the city's development. He will continue his efforts to boost Shantou's economic growth, looking forward to its prosperity.
Text and photos | GDToday reporters Wu Caiqian and Wu Yijie (intern)
Video shooting | GDToday reporter Deng Yingheng, Nanfang Plus reporters Zheng Miaoxin and Cai Zhiyan
Video editing | Liang Zijian
Editor | Ge Yuting, Liu Lingzhi, James, Shen He
