Peng Liyuan Encourages Macao Students to Embrace Chinese Culture for National Development

In a recent visit to Macao, Peng Liyuan, the wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, engaged with students in a special administrative region to encourage them to embrace and deepen their understanding of Chinese culture. During her visit to a local museum, she shared her hopes for the students, expressing that she wanted them to learn more about the history of Chinese culture. She emphasized the importance of using the knowledge they acquire to contribute to the national development and the growth of Macao itself.

"I hope you will deeply study the history of Chinese culture and apply your insights to better build our homeland and develop Macao," Peng stated to the students, highlighting the vital role of cultural heritage in fostering national identity and pride.

Throughout her tour, Peng admired the cultural monuments of the region, demonstrating a profound appreciation for the historical evolution of Macao, renowned for its unique blend of Chinese and Western architectural styles and cultural influences. Her hands-on experience included participating in the local tradition of making almond cookies, a beloved treat in the area, while collaborating with artisans skilled in tile painting and wood carving.

Accompanying her husband during the 25th anniversary celebrations of Macao’s return to China, Peng's efforts go beyond mere cultural appreciation; they reflect a strategic initiative to inspire the younger generations. Over the past quarter-century, Macao has utilized its rich historical and cultural heritage to promote traditional Chinese culture, leveraging its geographical advantages for cultural exchanges both within China and overseas.

Currently, Macao hosts at least 12 intangible national cultural heritage items, including Cantonese opera and herbal tea brewing. These reflect the preservation of traditional Chinese culture in the region. Initiatives like the "Exceptional Chinese Traditional Culture on Campus" program aim to instill a love for traditional Chinese culture and patriotic values among younger generations through activities that facilitate visits to significant cultural sites like the Xian Xinghai Memorial Museum, and the former residence of General Ye Ting.

Additionally, recent years have seen substantial improvements in cultural exchanges between students in Macao and their counterparts on the mainland, creating a solid foundation for better integration into the broader national development narrative. In December 2021, around 170 students from both primary and secondary schools in Macao participated in the "Tiangong Class," which involved an educational program connected to the Chinese space station, where they had the invaluable opportunity to communicate with astronauts.

Since its inception in 2005, cultural activities designed for university students in Hong Kong and Macao have attracted thousands of young individuals from these areas. In 2023, students from both regions visited Xiong'an New Area, engaging in in-depth discussions on entrepreneurship and employment at the Zhongguancun Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau Youth Innovation Center.

Macao continues to actively integrate into national development plans while strategically leveraging its geographic position to enhance cultural exchanges between China and other countries. Bordering the Pacific Ocean to the east, Macao has been one of the first places in China to open up to the world, evolving into a vibrant center for cultural interchange between China and the West.

Notably, the joint Sino-Portuguese laboratory for cultural heritage science, supported by the Belt and Road Initiative, received funding from the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology in September 2020. This laboratory serves as a strategic platform for national-level technological innovation, co-established by the City University of Macau and the University of Évora in Portugal, and located at Soochow University in Jiangsu Province.

So far, this laboratory has acted as a bridge between China, Portugal, and other countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, promoting the Chinese cultural narrative, reinforcing cultural confidence, and protecting cultural heritage along the Maritime Silk Road. The importance of Peng Liyuan's encouragement to young people in Macao cannot be overstated, as it plays a crucial role in fostering a deep connection between future generations and their cultural legacy, essential for their contributions to both local and national development.

Topics People & Culture)

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