[Explanation] On December 17, the 12th Shunde Promise Conference opened in Shunde, Guangdong.
40 associations and more than 200 folks from 12 countries on five continents gathered together. Nearly 90 Shunde overseas travel associations listened to and watched online through the live webcast, chatting about fellowship and seeking common development.
[Explanation] The guests attending the conference include representatives from the folks who have returned from afar, as well as overseas Chinese compatriots who stay in the clouds day and night to listen to the local dialect.
Ding Xifeng, member of the Standing Committee of the Foshan Municipal Party Committee and head of the United Front Work Department, praised the deep homesickness of the folks at home and abroad in Shunde.
He expressed the hope that the masses of folks will continue to support and participate in the reform and development of Foshan and Shunde, and continue to be ambassadors of friendship between China and foreign countries.
[Concurrent] Ding Xifeng, Member of the Standing Committee of the Foshan Municipal Party Committee and Minister of the United Front Work Department
The construction and development of the hometown is inseparable from the support and participation of the villagers.
We sincerely hope that the folks will continue to support and participate in the reform and development of Foshan and Shunde, continue to be ambassadors of friendship between China and foreign countries, promote Chinese culture, and tell Chinese stories well.
[Explanation] The conference centered on the theme of "Tracing the source of hundreds of rivers and reaching the same heart", and showed the new achievements and new looks of Shunde's development to Hong Kong, Macao and overseas folks.
At the opening ceremony, Shunde was named "Shunde Honorary Sages" for the first time to pay tribute to the overseas Chinese from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan who have made outstanding contributions to the economic and social development of Shunde, and to encourage the vast number of sages to give back to their homeland.
19 overseas Chinese from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan won this honor.
[Concurrent] Mai Meijuan, Director of the Home Affairs and Youth Affairs Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government
Although I am in Hong Kong, it does not stop me from contributing to the development of my hometown.
[Same period] Su Changrong, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in Hong Kong and a member of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Carry forward the spirit of responsibility of our Shunde people, benefit Hong Kong and contribute to the country.
[Explanation] Combining the brush and ink of Chinese painting with the artistic concept of modern Western painting, Luo Jiansheng, a painter living in Canada, promoted the cultural and artistic exchanges between Shunde and even China and Canada.
Returning to his hometown for the first time since the outbreak of the new crown epidemic, he lamented the great changes in the development of his hometown.
[Concurrent] Luo Jiansheng, President of Canadian Shunde Friendship Association
When I come back to Shunde this time, I have several great feelings.
First, Shunde's cityscape has become very beautiful and clean; second, Shunde's traffic has become much smoother; third, the sky in Shunde has become much bluer; and Shunde's technology industry and Shunde's industry have advanced a lot.
When we returned (Canada), we hoped to publicize all the things we saw in Shunde with the folks in (Shunde), and through a lot of information, we hoped to let more foreign people know about the development of Shunde.
[Explanation] Ye Shaowen, chairman of the Macau Shunde Friendship Association, has been traveling between Macau and Shunde for many years to promote cultural exchanges and economic development between the two places.
[Concurrent] Ye Shaowen, Chairman of Macau Shunde Friendship Association
We saw dozens of (folks) representatives from Macau come to the pledging meeting. Everyone has a common wish, that is, to hope that the two places will be a family.
If it weren't for the epidemic, our interaction would be closer.
Like before 2019, we would come back several times a year, or invite folks from the Mainland to Macau for exchanges.
[Explanation] Shunde is a famous hometown of overseas Chinese. There are more than 500,000 compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and overseas folks. There are nearly 90 overseas Chinese associations and Shunde chambers of commerce in other places.
Today, the kinship meeting held every two years has developed into an important platform for Shunde people around the world to live together, unite and strive for common development. Communicate your work brand.
[Concurrent] Luo Weiman, Chief President of Shunde Friendship Association Abroad
Shunde can develop to the present, they (overseas folks) have contributed a lot.
We in Shunde (now) have the resources and strength, as well as the space, so that the folks can use their experience and knowledge in the world, (can) show their talents and develop their careers in the development of Shunde and China. An important theme in pro-conferences.
[Explanation] It is reported that during the conference, there were also activities such as conference affairs exchanges of the Shunde Friendship Association Abroad, calligraphy and painting exhibitions, and the unveiling of the "Chinese Overseas Chinese International Cultural Exchange Base".
Reporter He Junjie reports from Foshan, Guangdong
Responsible editor: [Luo Pan]