Continuing the "Jiageng Spirit" and discussing cultural inheritance together
2025-03-24
In mid spring and March, cotton trees are in full bloom, and the campus of Guangzhou Chen Jiageng Memorial Middle School (referred to as "Jiageng Middle School") is filled with warmth and joy. On March 18, 2025, a delegation from Singapore's Tan Kah Kee Foundation, led by Ms. Wang Li, a director of the foundation, conducted research at Tan Kah Kee High School. Bu Zhiqun, Chairman of the Overseas Chinese Federation of Liwan District, Tang Ye, Director of the Education Bureau of Liwan District, and Chen Jinbo, Principal of Jiageng Middle School, warmly received and accompanied the visit throughout. The attending guests visited Mr. Chen Jiageng's bronze statue to trace the school's history and touch the original intention of education. It is understood that Jiageng High School was originally founded by the famous patriotic overseas Chinese leader Mr. Chen Jiageng, who proposed to the Ministry of Education of the Nationalist Government to establish the "National Second Overseas Chinese Normal School" (referred to as "Overseas Chinese Second Normal School"). The Second Overseas Chinese Division opened in Wuyang, Ruyuan County, Guangdong Province in September 1942; Due to avoiding war, the school underwent multiple relocations and moved to its current location in Dagangyuan, Xicun, Guangzhou in 1945. In October 2006, it was officially renamed Guangzhou Chen Jiageng Memorial Middle School to express its remembrance of Mr. Chen Jiageng. Nowadays, the campus of Jiageng Middle School is filled with "Jiageng elements": the school's lintel reads "Guangzhou Chen Jiageng Memorial Middle School" with shiny gold characters; Entering the campus, the motto of "Sincerity, Perseverance, Loyalty to the Public" catches the eye; The National Second Overseas Chinese Normal University Memorial Monument and the bronze statue of Chen Jiageng stand tall on the playground. Under the guidance of the guide, the guests reviewed the school's history since its establishment in 1942, initiated by Mr. Chen Jiageng, through precious historical photos, literature materials, and physical exhibits at the school history museum. As a direct descendant of Mr. Chen Jiageng, Director Wang Li stood in front of the letter of proposal written by Mr. Chen Jiageng himself and sighed, "Mr. Chen Jiageng not only founded a school in his hometown Jimei, but also always cares about the education of Southeast Asian Chinese children. The proposal to establish a teacher training school for overseas Chinese is a vivid witness to the 'Jiageng Spirit'." She said that the foundation will continue to support the development of education and inherit the mission of promoting education and nurturing talents by the wise. The Singapore Tan Kah Kee Foundation delegation visited the History Museum of Kah Kee High School for Cultural Immersion: Innovative Inheritance Path. After that, the delegation watched a play performed by teachers and students of Kah Kee High School called "People Accompanying the Stars". The students interpreted the glorious image of Chen Jiageng's life through powerful recitation, expressing their reverence and remembrance for Mr. Chen Jiageng, as well as their determination to inherit the "Jiageng Spirit" of "sincerity, perseverance, loyalty to the public" and become responsible Jiageng students in the new era. Principal Chen Jinbo introduced the development of the school, including club activities and distinctive curriculum offerings. Jiageng Middle School has always adhered to the educational characteristics of "establishing the school with Jiageng spirit, cultivating talents with sincerity and perseverance", practicing the "Jiageng spirit", inheriting the red gene, taking interest as a teacher, and pioneering the educational concept of "club progress and common interest development", forming the educational characteristics of "everyone has strengths and everyone can succeed", and has also been designated as the Guangzhou Communist Party History Education Base. At the symposium, all parties engaged in in-depth exchanges on deepening cooperation between Singapore's Tan Kah Kee Foundation and mainland educational institutions, jointly promoting Mr. Kah Kee's patriotic spirit, facilitating the sharing of educational resources, promoting the "Kah Kee Spirit", cultural heritage, and future cooperation. Chairman Bu Zhiqun pointed out that Liwan, as an "urban hometown of overseas Chinese", has a deep connection with Mr. Jiageng. Revisiting the "Jiageng Spirit" is not only a deep tribute to Mr. Chen Jiageng, but also a profound reflection on how to inherit and carry forward the "Jiageng Spirit" in the new era. The "Jiageng Spirit" is a valuable asset that transcends time and space, and is also a spiritual driving force that inspires us to keep moving forward. We need to deeply explore the story of Mr. Jiageng's intersection with Jiageng Middle School, decode the cultural genes and contemporary values of the "Jiageng Spirit", and let it shine brighter in the new era. Ms. Wang Li highly praised the effectiveness of Jiageng Middle School's education, stating that "Jiageng Middle School has integrated the Jiageng spirit into modern education, and Jiageng elements are everywhere on campus, which makes us feel warm and gratified." She hopes that the school can "become a school that is in line with international standards," because "you have innate roots and natural bonds, and we have never forgotten any school related to Mr. Jiageng. The better. Chairman Bu Zhiqun presented the District Overseas Chinese Federation's "Friendship at Home and Abroad, Fulfilling the Chinese Dream Together" banner to Director Wang Li, with the common hope of cultivating a soil of friendly exchanges between China and Singapore, expanding the exchange and cooperation platform between Singapore and Guangzhou, playing a bridging role in the overseas Chinese community, and actively promoting more diverse and in-depth cooperation between the two places in promoting the "Jiageng Spirit", sharing educational resources, cultural exchange and mutual learning, and expanding overseas Chinese cooperation. Liwan District Overseas Chinese Federation presents friendly exchange flag to Singapore's Tan Kah Kee Foundation
Edit:He Chuanning Responsible editor:Su Suiyue
Source:荔湾区侨联
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