Why does a newspaper that has persisted for 25 years attract the attention of overseas Chinese-

Recently, the “Voice of Hometown” newsletter, published by the Overseas Chinese Federation of Zhenpu Township in Haiyan County, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, from 2000 to the present, was selected as part of the “Republic’s Imprint” archival documentation by the China Overseas Chinese Federation and the National Cultural Heritage Administration. Zhao Ronghua, the president of the Zhenpu Overseas Chinese Federation for 25 years, expressed his joy at this recognition, saying, “Each issue of the ‘Voice of Hometown’ is a collaborative effort by our editorial team. It’s a great honor for our newsletter to be showcased in Beijing!”

The Overseas Chinese Federation was officially established in Zhenpu Township on April 10, 1983, with the support of the local party committee and government; it was later renamed the Zhenpu Returned Overseas Chinese Federation.

At the end of 1999, Zhao Ronghua proposed the creation of the “Voice of Hometown,” and the first issue was published in January 2000. In 2017, the newsletter evolved from an 8K format to a 4K standard, transforming its content from predominantly text-based black and white to a colorful and graphical presentation. To date, the “Voice of Hometown” has released 228 issues and distributed 350,000 copies both domestically and internationally, serving as a bridge connecting the hometown with relatives far away.

Over the past 25 years, the “Voice of Hometown” has focused on issues of concern to the people of Zhenpu, emphasizing originality and local relevance. It highlights the rapid changes in the hometown, interprets new policies and regulations closely related to the residents, and features locally resonant fables, folklore, and beautifully written stories. The writing is straightforward yet conveys a clear and authentic voice from home.

In line with the demands of modern times, the Zhenpu Overseas Chinese Federation launched the “Voice of Hometown” WeChat official account and website in 2015, creating a WeChat group that includes overseas Chinese. This initiative enables timely sharing of hometown stories with expatriates and fellow compatriots in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Over time, the small newsletter has helped strengthen the bond among Zhenpu people worldwide.

At Zhang Weiguo’s desk, a thick scrapbook houses significant pages from the “Voice of Hometown” since its first issue. Flipping to the front, articles like “The Bell Tower in the Hearts of Zhenpu People,” “A Jewel on the North Shore of Hangzhou Bay – Zhenpu Township,” and “Inheriting My Father’s Love for His Hometown” are displayed. Although the pages have yellowed with age, the scent of ink remains.

Zhang, who has lived in Japan for over 20 years due to work, shared that the newsletter provided him with a sense of belonging while living abroad. “I started reading it from the very first issue and have followed every edition. Sometimes when the physical copy hasn’t arrived, I check online first. Every time I read it, I feel deeply moved by the remarkable changes back home. The old streets have transformed, and the ‘Voice of Hometown’ allows us expatriates to feel connected to our roots and the landscape of our hometown,” he said.

Through 25 years of ups and downs, while the city and the newsletter have evolved, the editing responsibilities have shifted from Wu Yuesheng and Yuan Zengpei to Zhou Lexun. “Now, each issue we publish gets thousands of views, and we often receive reader feedback through the backend, sharing insights or suggestions. We take every comment seriously,” Zhou noted.

A newsletter, a community, a town. Today, the “Voice of Hometown” stands as a beloved publication, weathering the test of time and reinforcing the connection for expatriates longing for their hometown.