On November 19, the 22nd Teochew International Convention and the 10th World Chaoshan Entrepreneurs Convention, themed "Teochew Gathering, Heading Towards Shantou", commenced with an opening ceremony at the Shantou International Convention and Exhibition Center in Guangdong. Representatives from 266 Chaoshan associations and business communities across 32 countries and regions, totaling 2,800, convened to celebrate their shared heritage.

These two prestigious events are recognized by Chaoshan Chinese at home and abroad as the most prestigious, widespread, and influential international gatherings within the expatriate and business circles, serving as a crucial platform for Chaoshan people to strengthen their hometown bonds and seek mutual benefits.
 

The spot of the 22nd Teochew International Convention and the 10th World Chaoshan Entrepreneurs Convention

Gao Yunlong, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, Lin Keqing, Chairman of the Guangdong Provincial CPPCC and Wen Zhanbin, Secretary of the Shantou Municipal Committee attended the conference and delivered speeches.

As a representative of Chaoshan overseas Chinese and businessmen, Hong Kong business magnate, investor, and philanthropist Mr. Li Ka-shing sent a congratulatory video. Dhanin Chearavanont, Senior Chairman of the Charoen Pokphand Group and President of China Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs Association, Zhou Zhe Rong, Chairman of Kingold Group, Chairman of the World Leadership Alliance Asia-Pacific Region, and Co-Chairman of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, and Wang Laichun, Chairman of Luxshare Precision Industry Co., Ltd. also attended the conference and delivered speeches.

Gao Yunlong extended his warm congratulations to the convening of the "Two Grand Events", stating that China is continuously optimizing its business environment, encouraging state-owned enterprises to be bold, private enterprises to be adventurous, and foreign enterprises to invest. He called on everyone to adhere to the concept of rejuvenate the country through industry and prosper the nation through solid work, to keep pace with the development of the motherland and the rejuvenation of the nation, and to become practitioners of innovation, helmsmen in navigating challenges, and disseminators of Chinese culture. The All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce will continue to care for and support the development of Guangdong and Shantou, building cooperative platforms and consolidating the strength of the private sector to promote the healthy development of the non-public sector of the economy and the healthy growth of non-public sector entrepreneurs, and help Guangdong maintain its leading position in the construction of Chinese modernization.

Lin Keqing sent sincere greetings to Chaoshan compatriots at home and abroad, noting that as one of the important groups of Chinese people and businessmen worldwide, Chaoshan people have always braved the tide and are pioneers, sticking to unity, mutual assistance, and service to society, and committing to caring for the country and benefiting the Chaoshan hometown. He looked forward to the active participation of overseas Chinese in the high-quality development of Guangdong and the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). He also hoped that the Teochew International Federation and the World Chaoshan Entrepreneurs Convention would actively promote cultural exchanges between China and other countries, and foster friendly relations between the people of the host countries and the Chinese homeland and people.

Wen Zhanbin stated that the growth history of Shantou is also a history of overseas Chinese's patriotism, with the deep affection of Chaoshan people and businessmen driving Shantou's development into a special economic zone, the Pearl River Delta's bright pearl, a provincial sub-center, and the main center of the Shantou Metropolitan Area. Looking ahead, Shantou is committed to uniting the hearts of overseas Chinese, gathering their wisdom, and pooling their strength to continue writing new chapters in the overseas Chinese stories.

Li Ka-shing 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, which should be cherished. He wished for further development and economic achievements in the Chaoshan region, and for a more stable and happier life for its people.

The opening ceremony was filled with the familiar dialects and warm sentiments of the Chaoshan people, who came from all over the world to strengthen their hometown bonds and share new visions.

The global Chaoshan people consist of three main groups: 15 million residents in the Chaoshan region of China, 15 million Chaoshan people scattered within China, and 15 million overseas Chinese, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan compatriots abroad. Located in eastern Guangdong, Shantou is one of the starting points for Chaoshan ancestors and is also a famous hometown of overseas Chinese in China. As one of the first batch of special economic zones in the country, Shantou was established and prospered thanks to its overseas compatriots, relying on the close ties between the vast number of overseas Chinese from Chaoshan region and their hometowns, establishing economic and trade relations with more than 180 countries and regions. 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, Macao, and Taiwan 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.
 

Guests walking into the main venue

"The roots of overseas Chaoshan people are in Chaoshan, and our hearts are always connected to our homeland. The development opportunities in China, in Shantou, are also the opportunities for overseas Chaoshan people", said Dhanin Chearavanont. He expressed his commitment to continue the pioneering and innovative spirit of Chaoshan entrepreneurs and the tradition of unity, endeavor, gratitude, and giving back, actively participating in the Belt and Road initiative and the GBA, and contributing more to the development of his hometown and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Zhou Zerong wholeheartedly praised and wished the best for his hometown, saying, "We must fully leverage our advantages in connecting China with the world, continue to work hand in hand with the vast number of overseas Chinese, be promoters of cultural exchanges, and drivers of win-win cooperation, making new and greater contributions to the exchange and cooperation between Guangdong, Shantou, and the world, as well as to world peace and development."

"As a native of Shantou, I share the deep affection for this land with all of you, and I have walked steadily step by step to where I am today", Wang Laichun said in her speech, choking up twice with tears of emotion. She expressed her gratitude to the great motherland, the great era of reform and opening up, and the land of her hometown, which has endowed the Chaoshan people with a spirit of diligence, hard work, and entrepreneurial courage. She looked forward to giving back to her hometown with her Chaoshan compatriots, bringing more resources and projects, especially major industrial chain projects, to the hometown, and jointly contributing to its prosperity and development.

This is the largest, longest, and most representative international event Shantou has hosted in recent years, and it is the first time it has been held concurrently in the same city. It is also the third time Shantou has invited Chaoshan people from home and abroad as the host, following the 9th Teochew International Convention in 1997 and the first World Chaoshan Entrepreneurs Convention in 2005. As short films with themes of "Gathering," "Establishing," and "Prospering" were displayed on the big screen, the returning Chaoshan people could not help but shed tears of joy.
 

The returning Chaoshan people with tears of joy

Jl. Pluit Karang Karya Blok A Selatan, Permanent Honorary Chairman of Perkumpulan Teochew Nusantara, who is 90 years old this year, participated in the first Teochew International Convention over 40 years ago. Now, attending the 22nd convention in Shantou, Jl. Pluit Karang Karya Blok A Selatan is deeply moved, noting the grandeur of the event venue and the scale of the conference, as well as the rapid changes in his hometown.

"Shantou has undergone remarkable transformation and development, with its urban landscape and road networks being greatly improved, marking significant progress compared to the past", said Lim Keh Kuan, president of the Federated Teochew Associations of Malaysia. He notes that the organizers are meticulously preparing for the "Two Major Events," and hopes that Chaoshan people from home and abroad can become more united to seek common development.

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. 

Reporter | GDToday reporter Guo Chuhua, Wu Caiqian

Photo | Shantou government

Cameraman | GDToday reporter Deng Yingheng, Wu Yijie (intern)

Video | Liang Zijian

Editor | James, Shen He