Time: July 31, 2017
Source: College of Chinese Language and Culture
Authors: Fang Lijin, Luo Yushi, Guo Wenwen

The Roots-Seeking Summer Camp took place at JNU from July 29 to Aug. 3 for 500 overseas Chinese youths from the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Jointly organized by the State Council's Overseas Chinese Affairs Office and the China Overseas Exchange Association, it was hosted by the College of Chinese Language and Culture (CCLC). Jinan University became the first university in China to undertake provincial-level camp activity.

Campers took part in such activities as watching demonstrations of Chinese martial arts, folk dance and handicrafts; attending a forum themed "The Belt and Road and Contemporary China"; and visiting Guangzhou and Foshan. Throughout the activities, they explored the history of overseas Chinese and schools for overseas Chinese; experienced South China’s profound history and culture; and learned about China's achievements in its modernization over the last 40 years since Reform and Opening Up. A "Chinese Culture Carnival" exposed campers to traditional culture. In addition, the campers and CCLC students from all over the world enjoyed a dinner party at which they developed cross-cultural and cross-national exchanges and friendship.

(Participants in the Summer Camp)

(Leaders from the College giving camp flags to overseas representatives)

(Li Xinxian demonstrating "Puppet Calligraphy")

Since 2005, when JNU first officially participated in holding the Roots-Seeking Summer Camp, the university has trained thousands of campers, with participants increasing annually. By the end of July, this brand program had attracted over 1,400 members from more than 20 countries.