Peng Liyuan Encourages Macao Students to Embrace Chinese Culture for National Development
On December 20, 2024, during an enlightening visit to the Macao Museum, Peng Liyuan, the wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, called upon students from the Macao Special Administrative Region to immerse themselves in Chinese culture and contribute meaningfully to the development of both their local community and the nation. She stated, "I hope you will learn more about the history of Chinese culture, familiarize yourselves with it, and utilize this knowledge to contribute to our common homeland and make Macao an even better place."
In her exploration of Macao, Peng marveled at the region's rich cultural landmarks and delved into its historical evolution which showcases a fascinating blend of Chinese and Western architecture, industry, and culture. Highlighting the importance of production and local crafts, she engaged with artisans renowned for their tile-painting and wood-sculpting skills. As part of the celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to China, these interactions underscored the vitality and resilience of local cultural practices.
Over the past 25 years, Macao has effectively leveraged its historical and cultural legacy to promote traditional Chinese culture and facilitate cultural exchanges with other countries. The area is now associated with at least 12 elements of national intangible cultural heritage, which include Cantonese opera, the Cantonese storytelling singing genre known as 'naamyam', tea brewing rituals, and the Dragon Boat Festival. Each of these elements illustrates the remarkable preservation of traditional Chinese culture within Macao, passed down through generations.
Efforts like the "Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture on Campus" initiative have played a pivotal role in instilling love for traditional culture and patriotic values among younger generations. The program encourages students to visit significant historical sites such as the Xian Xinghai Memorial Museum and the former residence of General Ye Ting, fostering a connection to their cultural roots. Moreover, in recent years, Macao has actively developed cultural exchange programs for students, enhancing integration with the broader national development agenda.
Notable initiatives include the "Tiangong Class", a space education program involving around 170 primary and secondary students from Macao, who had the unique opportunity to interact with astronauts during their sessions at the Macao Science Centre.
Since its inception in 2005, the cultural internship program for university students from Hong Kong and Macao has engaged thousands of young individuals from the two Special Administrative Regions. In 2023, students from both regions convened at the Zhongguancun Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Youth Innovation Centre in the New Xiong'an Area, discussing critical topics such as entrepreneurship and employment opportunities, which are crucial for their future contributions to national development.
Strategically situated near the Pacific Ocean, Macao is recognized as one of the first cities in China to embrace global openness, transforming itself into a dynamic cultural exchange hub between China and the West. The establishment of the China-Portugal Joint Laboratory for Cultural Heritage Conservation, launched as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, showcases Macao's ongoing commitment to international cooperation in preserving cultural heritage. This laboratory, co-created by the Macau City University and the University of Évora in Portugal, serves as a bridge between China, Portugal, and other partner countries, promoting cultural narratives that bolster mutual trust and safeguard heritage along the Maritime Silk Road.
As Peng Liyuan champions the learning and application of Chinese culture among students in Macao, her visit not only highlights the importance of cultural heritage but also encourages the youth to play an integral role in national development—by understanding their history, they can significantly contribute to the future of their homeland.
A Journey Through Cultural Heritage
In her exploration of Macao, Peng marveled at the region's rich cultural landmarks and delved into its historical evolution which showcases a fascinating blend of Chinese and Western architecture, industry, and culture. Highlighting the importance of production and local crafts, she engaged with artisans renowned for their tile-painting and wood-sculpting skills. As part of the celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to China, these interactions underscored the vitality and resilience of local cultural practices.
Emphasizing Cultural Identity
Over the past 25 years, Macao has effectively leveraged its historical and cultural legacy to promote traditional Chinese culture and facilitate cultural exchanges with other countries. The area is now associated with at least 12 elements of national intangible cultural heritage, which include Cantonese opera, the Cantonese storytelling singing genre known as 'naamyam', tea brewing rituals, and the Dragon Boat Festival. Each of these elements illustrates the remarkable preservation of traditional Chinese culture within Macao, passed down through generations.
Educational Initiatives and Cultural Engagement
Efforts like the "Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture on Campus" initiative have played a pivotal role in instilling love for traditional culture and patriotic values among younger generations. The program encourages students to visit significant historical sites such as the Xian Xinghai Memorial Museum and the former residence of General Ye Ting, fostering a connection to their cultural roots. Moreover, in recent years, Macao has actively developed cultural exchange programs for students, enhancing integration with the broader national development agenda.
Notable initiatives include the "Tiangong Class", a space education program involving around 170 primary and secondary students from Macao, who had the unique opportunity to interact with astronauts during their sessions at the Macao Science Centre.
Collaborative Programs Between Regions
Since its inception in 2005, the cultural internship program for university students from Hong Kong and Macao has engaged thousands of young individuals from the two Special Administrative Regions. In 2023, students from both regions convened at the Zhongguancun Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Youth Innovation Centre in the New Xiong'an Area, discussing critical topics such as entrepreneurship and employment opportunities, which are crucial for their future contributions to national development.
Leveraging Geographical Advantages
Strategically situated near the Pacific Ocean, Macao is recognized as one of the first cities in China to embrace global openness, transforming itself into a dynamic cultural exchange hub between China and the West. The establishment of the China-Portugal Joint Laboratory for Cultural Heritage Conservation, launched as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, showcases Macao's ongoing commitment to international cooperation in preserving cultural heritage. This laboratory, co-created by the Macau City University and the University of Évora in Portugal, serves as a bridge between China, Portugal, and other partner countries, promoting cultural narratives that bolster mutual trust and safeguard heritage along the Maritime Silk Road.
Conclusion
As Peng Liyuan champions the learning and application of Chinese culture among students in Macao, her visit not only highlights the importance of cultural heritage but also encourages the youth to play an integral role in national development—by understanding their history, they can significantly contribute to the future of their homeland.
Topics People & Culture）
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