On November 29th, the 23rd Teochew International Convention opened at the Chaozhou International Convention and Exhibition Center. Nearly 1,800 delegates from 165 Teochew associations around the world came from far and wide to gather under one roof. On this homecoming journey, they reconnected with their roots, rekindled bonds to their hometown, and charted a future for their homeland together.

At the opening ceremony, a number of major initiatives were launched simultaneously. The "Teochew Yellow Pages" platform went live, and a supply-chain cooperation was initiated to boost exports from and imports into Chaozhou, aiming to build a full-chain framework linking the Chaozhou industrial belt with the global Teochew business network. Also inaugurated was an exhibition center on Teochew history and culture. Meanwhile, the charity of Chaozhou Three-Circle (Group) Co., Ltd. (CCTC) donated 400 million yuan to the construction of Chaoren Park, underscoring the philanthropic commitment of Teochew people.

According to statistics, there are about 15 million overseas Chinese of Teochew descent and their descendants living in over 60 countries across five continents, accounting for one-fifth of all overseas Chinese. Since China's reform and opening up, Chaozhou has accepted more than 4,000 public-welfare projects funded by overseas Chinese and compatriots from Hong Kong and Macao, totaling over 1.8 billion yuan. In the past three years alone, 194 donations were accepted, amounting to 113 million yuan. It highlights the deep patriotism and homeland affection of the global Teochew community.

As a"root-seeking" journey, the Teochew International Convention offered Teochew people from around the world a home-like setting to meet face to face, rekindle cultural memories, and reinforce their sense of identity and belonging. From the days when the historic "Red Head Junks" first set sail across seas to today's overseas Teochew business networks spanning five continents, the Convention serves not only as a venue for global Teochew compatriots to reconnect but also as an important platform for tracing cultural lineage, exchanging ideas, sharing opportunities, and linking industrial resources.

国际潮团联谊年会开幕 近1800潮籍乡亲归潮共叙乡谊

11月29日，第二十三届国际潮团联谊年会在潮州国际会展中心开幕。来自全球165个潮人社团的近1800名代表跨越山海齐聚，在归乡之旅中寻根脉、叙乡情、兴家国、谋未来。

开幕式上，多项重磅举措同步落地：“潮商黄页”正式上线，“潮货出海、优品入潮”供应链合作启动，将构建“潮州产业带+全球潮商网络”全链条机制；“世界潮人历史文化展示中心”启用，潮州三环慈善会捐资4亿元建设“潮人公园”，彰显潮人公益担当。

据统计，潮籍华侨华人及后裔约1500万人，遍布世界五大洲60多个国家，占全国旅外同胞五分之一。改革开放以来，潮州累计接受华侨华人和港澳同胞捐资兴办公益项目4000多宗，折合人民币超18亿元；近三年接收捐赠194宗，金额折合1.13亿元，彰显其爱国爱乡、情系桑梓的深厚情怀。

作为一场“寻根之旅”，国际潮团联谊年会让全球潮人在熟悉的烟火气中面对面交流，重温文化记忆、强化身份归属。从昔日“红头船”扬帆远航到如今潮商足迹遍及五洲，年会不仅是潮人叙旧的话堂，更成为梳理文化脉络、交锋观点、共享机遇、对接产业的重要平台。

文、图｜赵映光 姚志德 曾柯权 陈锴跃 陈燕江
翻译｜柯妃娟
审校｜赵凡