Mexican teens seek Chinese roots from Zhuhai camp

Twenty Chinese-Mexican teenagers began a 10-day tour of Zhuhai on July 7 as a special summer camp opened to give overseas Chinese an opportunity to explore their roots and experience Guangdong.

The touring campers will seek out the glamor of Zhuhai at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Huitong Village with renowned century-old homes with Lingnan features, Yung Wing Museum, and former residence of Chun Afong, the first Chinese consul in Hawaii. They will also attend sessions on sinology, calligraphy, martial arts, and tea art.

Zhang Yinglong, full-time vice chairman of the Zhuhai Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, presented a flag for the summer camp and expressed wishes that the activity would proceed smoothly. Zhang said the youngsters should promote cultural exchanges between China and the world, boost bonds to the country, and contribute to construction of the 21st century Maritime Silk Road.

The teenagers staged poetry recitals, cross talk shows, and a flute performance of China's national anthem, expressing love of the their ancestral homeland.

Zhong Zhiqian, who lives on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, said that his ancestral home is about 370 km (230 miles) from Zhuhai in Lechang of Shaoguan in Guangdong. He expressed hope that this summer camp would enrich his perspective, as he experiences more of China's beautiful scenery and profound culture.

To enhance the overseas Chinese teenagers' understanding of China, its culture and language, the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council launched the "Chinese Roots-Seeking Tour" Summer Camp in 1999. Since then, overseas Chinese youths from across the world have come to China for visits, exchanges, and roots-seeking activities. This year's event was organized by the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese.