The special exhibition -Tan Kah Kee’s Social Education Concept and Overseas Chinese Museum- was launched in Xiamen

On the afternoon of October 18, the original special exhibition titled “Storing History, Inspiring Wisdom: The Social Education Philosophy of Chen Jiageng and the Overseas Chinese Museum” officially opened at the Overseas Chinese Museum in Xiamen.

During the opening ceremony, an impressive gathering of over 70 attendees included leaders from the Xiamen United Front Work Department, various democratic parties, the Xiamen Federation of Industry and Commerce, the Xiamen Overseas Chinese Federation, the Xiamen Chinese Vocational Education Society, the Jimei School Committee, and the Chen Jiageng Memorial Hall, as well as international guests represented by Chen Jiageng’s grandson, Mr. Chen Liren.

The ceremony began with all attendees paying homage to a statue of Mr. Chen Jiageng, bowing three times as a gesture of deep remembrance and profound respect for his contributions.

During his speech, Chen Hong, the deputy minister of the Xiamen United Front Work Department, emphasized the significance of the Overseas Chinese Museum as the first specialized museum in China to systematically showcase the history and achievements of overseas Chinese. He reflected on the museum’s commitment over the past 65 years to uphold Chen Jiageng’s founding principles, which include fostering the “Jiageng Spirit.” Underlining recent accomplishments, he noted that the museum was recently recognized as a national first-class museum, achieving remarkable advances in academic exchanges, exhibition upgrades, and infrastructural improvements—an impressive tribute to Chen Jiageng’s legacy on the occasion of his birthday.

Ms. Wang Suiying, representing the descendants of one of the museum’s main donors, Mr. Wang Yuanxing, also attended the ceremony. She spoke movingly about Chen Jiageng’s dedication to the revitalization of the Chinese nation and the far-reaching significance of establishing the Overseas Chinese Museum, calling for a continued promotion of the “Jiageng Spirit” and a deepening of patriotic sentiment in the new era.

Following the announcement of the special exhibition’s opening by Mr. Chen Liren, guests gathered for a commemorative photograph and proceeded to tour the exhibition.

The event was moderated by Zhong Zhicheng, the deputy director of the Overseas Chinese Museum. He noted that this special exhibition serves not only as a retrospective of the museum’s 65-year journey but also as a means of perpetuating the “Jiageng Spirit.” He affirmed the museum’s commitment to continue honoring Chen Jiageng’s foundational vision by collecting and showcasing the history and culture of overseas Chinese, while furthering the promotion of the “Jiageng Spirit,” preserving historical memory, and galvanizing the collective strength of overseas Chinese people.

The exhibition is guided by the Xiamen United Front Work Department and hosted by the Overseas Chinese Museum, with assistance from the Chen Jiageng Memorial Hall.