On September 18^th, the 2023 Annual Membership Meeting of the Teochew International Federation was held in Shantou, Guangdong Province. This historic event saw the participation of over 150 guests representing more than 30 countries and regions, making it the largest gathering of Teochew International Federation's members to date.

The highlight of the conference was the debut performance of the city's theme promotional song, "Youthful Journey in Shantou," sung by children. The song, deeply infused with elements of the overseas Chinese community, showcased the century-old charm of the hometown from various angles, including lyrics, musical composition, and scenic visuals in the music video. In addition, the young performers had meticulously prepared exclusive artwork, known as "Qiaopi (the so-called overseas remittance, in which letter and money were both included)," for the attendees. With special videos and images, each Qiaopi featured heartfelt wishes and a strong connection between the overseas Chinese and their homeland. The guests promised the children that they would reunite next year.

Shantou, the place where the Teochew people originated, has always been the witness to the glory of the Teochew community. In recent years, the city has worked diligently to create a prosperous homeland that attracts and benefits overseas Chinese. Leveraging the unique strengths offered by over 15 million overseas Teochew people, Shantou has witnessed significant growth.

"As all Teochew people are relatives, when they work together, there's nothing they can't achieve," said Xu Huishen, Chairman of the Tio Chew Association of Thailand. Among the overseas Chinese in Thailand, the number of Teochew people is about ten million.

In recent years, cooperation between Thailand and China in fields such as digital economy and green economy has gained momentum and holds great potential. In the future, there will be a concerted effort to mobilize Teochew people and overseas Chinese communities in Thailand to participate in hometown development, enhance exchanges, and promote friendly relations between Thailand and China. "Shantou is definitely undergoing significant changes, not just every year but every month," remarked Huang Daiguang, Honorary Chairman of the Tio Chew Association of Thailand. Although Shantou's population is only around five to six million, its achievements in industrial and social development are evident to all, and it is believed that Shantou will continue to prosper.

Wu Muxing, President of theSingapore Teochew Poiti-Ip Huay Kuan, expressed strong confidence in Shantou's development. He explained that Singaporean overseas Chinese actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and integrate into the economic development of Guangdong, including Shantou. Through activities such as bilateral economic and trade cooperation promotion, they have facilitated the signing of 11 cooperative projects with a total value of 2.8 billion yuan. Wu Muxing emphasized the importance of strengthening community ties, harnessing Singapore's role as an international hub of communication so as to support Shantou in developing a digital industry centered on international data transmission.

Notably, the conference aimed to harness the strength of overseas Chinese to stimulate intrinsic vitality comprehensively. It involved exchanges in "three new" industries (new energy, new materials, and electronic information), as well as "two special" industries (toys and clothing textiles), and "one big" industry (big healthcare). Besides, the conference promoted ten major investment projects, and drove in-depth, pragmatic economic and trade cooperation between the Teochew people, Teochew associations, and Shantou. This approach aims to better attract and serve overseas Chinese entrepreneurs who want to ride the wave of China's rapid development.

全球300位华侨齐聚汕头谈发展，共谋家乡事

9月18日，国际潮团总会2023年度会员大会”在广东汕头市举行，来自全球30多个国家和地区、150多个潮团嘉宾参会，创下潮团参会数量“历史之最”。

大会现场，由儿童演唱的城市主题宣传歌曲《少年游·汕头》于当天首演，据悉，歌曲蕴含浓浓“侨”元素，从歌词、编曲到mv取景多角度展现百年侨乡风采。此外，参与演出的小朋友将精心准备2个月之久的专属侨批图画赠与在场嘉宾，每一个侨批中的专属视频、图画，都以真情满载祝福、深怀侨胞与家乡之间的紧密联结，同时孩子们与嘉宾相互约定“明年再来”。

汕头，是潮人出发的原点，也一直是见证潮人荣耀的家园。近年来，汕头打造聚侨惠民的和美侨乡，充分发挥海外1500多万潮汕籍华侨华人的独特优势，贡献侨乡力量。

“潮人都是亲人，亲人携手连心，就没有干不成的事、迈不过的坎。”泰国潮州会馆主席徐惠深表示，泰国华侨华人中，潮籍华人约占一千万人。

近年来，泰中数字经济、绿色经济等领域合作势头猛、前景广，未来将鼓励动员泰国潮人、侨界积极参与家乡发展建设，增进交流互动，促进泰中友好往来。“汕头一定是有大的变化，不是每一年在变化，而是每一个月都在变化。”泰国潮州会馆永远名誉主席黄迨光说，虽然汕头只有五六百万的人口，但是在行业建设、社会发展等方面取得的成就是有目共睹的，相信汕头一定会更好地发展下去。

新加坡潮州八邑会馆会长吴木兴对汕头发展充满信心。他介绍道，新加坡华侨积极参与“一带一路”建设，融入广东、融入汕头的原乡经济发展，举办双边经贸合作推介会等活动促成签约合作项目11项，总金额达到28亿元。以侨情为纽带，他倡导增强社群联系，发挥新加坡作为国际通信枢纽的作用，助力汕头打造以国际数据传输业务为核心的数字产业。

值得一提的是，大会还以“侨力”全方位激发内生活力，开展新能源、新材料、电子信息、玩具、服装纺织、大健康等“三新两特一大”产业交流及十大招商项目的推介，积极推动与潮人潮团的深层次务实的经贸合作往来，更好地吸引、服务潮侨企业搭乘祖国发展快车。

文、图 | 羊城晚报全媒体记者 卢佳圳 王漫琪
责编 | 王楠
校对 | 潘丽玲