With sponsorship from both the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council and the China Overseas Exchange Association and organization from Huaqiao University, a Chinese language and culture camp recently began at the university’s Xiamen campus.

As a part of the summer camp for the overseas Chinese teens, the 15-day event hosted nearly 110 Thai Chinese students from the Thailand Jimei Alumni Association and the Bangkok No. 2 Girls’ Middle School.

During the summer camp, students took courses in basic Chinese, Chinese culture and arts. In addition, they visited some scenic spots in southern Fujian province.

In the culture activities, these students showed great enthusiasm and curiosity about Chinese culture. Their horizons were greatly expanded thanks to taking courses in Chinese calligraphy, folk songs, martial arts, dragon and lion dances and dragon boat rowing.

Many students said learning Chinese and experiencing Chinese culture and arts have not only helped them generate more enthusiasm for the Chinese language learning, but boosted pride in their identity as Chinese descendants.

In the Chinese class, under the guidance of the teacher, all the campers gradually acquired a good understanding of the Chinese language. “From not daring to speak a word to being able to use basic Chinese vocabulary — this is my biggest harvest from this root-seeking trip,” said Ding Duzhi, a student from the Thailand Jimei Alumni Association.

The combination of learning and sightseeing has helped these campers fully learn local customs of the southern Fujian province, as well as the prosperity and achievements of China.

“From the root-seeking trip, apart from growing pride as a Chinese descendant, I have also learned a lot about the great changes brought by the rapid economic development since reform and opening-up. I hope I can always keep these beautiful memories in my mind,” said Na Lin, a student from Bangkok No. 2 Girls’ Middle School.

At the camp closing party, students staged both traditional Chinese and Thai cultural performances and screened the root-seeking short films made on their own, which drew warm applause from the audience.

Chen Kunshan, director of the Thailand Jimei Alumni Association, encouraged the campers to further learn Chinese culture and aspire to be the envoys of Sino-Thai cultural exchange.