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In commemoration of history and in remembrance of our heroic martyrs, to inherit and promote the great spirit of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and patriotism, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and the 26th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland, the “Retracing the Footsteps of the Dongjiang Column: Macao Education Leaders’ Visiting and Exchange Delegation” was held from April 12 to 14. The event was jointly organized by the General Association of Macau Guangzhou Associations, the San Mei Natives General Association of Macau, the Association of Hoi Luk Fung, the Association of Huizhou Macau, the Macao Chong San Association, and the Macau Education and Youth Development Bureau. The delegation visited four places in Guangdong Province—Zhongshan, Shantou, Huizhou, and Guangzhou—to revisit the history of the Dongjiang Column and deepen patriotic education. More than 40 leaders from the Macao education sector, including Prof. Zhang Yan, director of the Centre for Chinese History and Culture (CCHC) of the University of Macau（UM）, participated in this meaningful visit and exchange activity.

On the morning of the 12th, the visiting and exchange delegation held a solemn inauguration ceremony in Zhongshan. Subsequently, the delegation visited the Gu Family Ancestral Hall, the Yang Yin’s Former Residence, and the Yang Yin Martyr Memorial Exhibition. At Yang Yin’s Former Residence, through precious cultural relics, vivid pictures, and detailed information, the delegation gained an in-depth understanding of Yang Yin’s life dedicated to the revolutionary cause and deeply felt his firm belief and selfless dedication.

In the afternoon of the 12th, the delegation moved from Zhongshan to Shantou. At TongLuoZhai Village and the former site of the CPC Hailufeng Central County Committee (Qinyuan), they paid homage to the red cultural relics and listened to heroic stories. Local guides vividly narrated the combat history and revolutionary deeds of the Dongjiang Column in the Shantou area, allowing the members of the delegation to feel as if they had traveled back in time to the war-torn era. They profoundly realized that this red land of Shantou has nurtured countless heroes who made significant contributions to the victory of the Chinese revolution.

On the morning of the 13th, the delegation continued their journey in Shantou, heading to Haifeng County to visit the Red Palace Memorial Museum. Haifeng is the birthplace of China’s first Soviet regime. Peng Pai, a pioneer of the Chinese peasant movement and one of the early important leaders of the Communist Party of China, was called the “King of Peasant Movement” by Mao Zedong. This was the revolutionary venue where Peng Pai and other Communists led the people of Hailufeng to establish the first Soviet regime. With a reverent heart, the delegation members delved into the history of the Chinese peasant movement and the revolutionary deeds of Martyr Peng Pai.

At noon on the 13th, the delegation moved from Shantou to Huizhou, visiting the former site of the Dongjiang Column Command Department and the Dongjiang Column Memorial Hall in Boluo County. At the former site of the Dongjiang Column Command Department, it seemed as if they could see the commanders of the Dongjiang Column planning and directing battles. The memorial hall, with its rich exhibits and detailed historical materials, comprehensively displayed the development process and brilliant achievements of the Dongjiang Column. Through the visit, the delegation members gained a deeper understanding of the history of the Dongjiang Column, further enhancing their national pride and sense of responsibility.

In the evening of the 13th, the delegation arrived in Guangzhou and held a sharing session at Taoranxuan on Ersha Island. The event invited Ms. Peng Yina, granddaughter of Martyr Peng Pai, to give a themed speech. She spoke on “Devoted to the Country’s Woes—The Patriotism and Family Tradition of Peng Pai,” recounting the touching story of how Peng Pai, despite his wealthy background, was deeply concerned about the country’s peril and the people’s suffering. He gave up his family fortune to join the revolution and sacrificed his life for the ideal of saving the country. She also shared the story of her family member, Academician Peng Shilu, who dedicated himself to China’s nuclear submarine industry. She called on the younger generation of Macao to remember their original aspirations and continue to contribute to the prosperity and development of Macao and the country.

This “Retracing the Footsteps of the Dongjiang Column: Macao Education Leaders’ Visiting and Exchange Delegation” activity was not only a red journey but also a heritage of spirit. Through on-site visits, listening to explanations, and sharing experiences, the delegation profoundly understood the connotation and value of the Dongjiang Column spirit, further strengthening the cultural exchange and emotional connection between Macao and the mainland. In the days to come, this red spirit will take root in the education sector of Macao. The CCHC of the UM will continue to promote the revolutionary spirit, inspiring more Macao youth to strive for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the realization of the Chinese Dream.

In an effort to preserve mother tongues, advocate for linguistic and cultural diversity, and cultivate students’ critical thinking, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities (FAH) at the University of Macau (UM) successfully held the UM Language and Culture Day on 26 March 2025. This year’s event continued the theme of ‘Value Your Own Language; Embrace Everyone’s Cultures’, creating a cross-border, multicultural exchange platform through three signature segments: a multicultural performance, language and culture workshops, and a knowledge treasure hunt. The CCHC and the UM Calligraphy Association took innovative calligraphy creation as the entry point to awaken the perception of mother tongues through immersive cultural experiences, attracting many teachers and students to participate together.

The Ink Dance and Book Fragrance Workshop, hosted by the CCHC at the Language and Culture Day, aimed to allow participants to deeply experience the charm of Chinese calligraphy. As a living fossil of the evolution of Chinese civilization, the inheritance and innovation of Chinese calligraphy are a vivid practice of linguistic and cultural conservation. In the calligraphy workshop, students actively used their imagination to integrate ancient scripts such as oracle bone script and seal script into light and shadow art on modern carriers like calligraphy screens. They also freely expressed themselves by writing poetry in cursive script on oil-paper umbrellas. Under the guidance of professionals, they created unique calligraphy handicrafts. The interplay of classical and modern elements in the flowing brushstrokes allowed participants to not only appreciate the beauty of the characters and the charm of the ink but also to experience the fluidity of Eastern philosophy.

The Language and Culture Day was not only a cultural feast interwoven with tradition and modernity but also a spiritual bond connecting the past and the future. As night fell, teachers and students strolled around the campus holding their own calligraphy moon lanterns. The warm yellow glow illuminated the smiling faces of people from different countries, resembling a miniature galaxy of civilizations—each mother tongue culture shining like a unique star, illuminating the common spiritual home of humanity.

The Centre for Chinese History and Culture（CCHC） of University of Macau（UM） successfully hosted the event of 2024 Inheritance in the City, aimed at further promoting the profound and extensive nature of Chinese culture and enhancing Macao teenagers’ understanding and inheritance of traditional Chinese culture. This event was part of the 3rd Festival of Chinese Culture series.

The event received enthusiastic support from all sectors of Macao society and attracted active participation from numerous primary and secondary schools. Through various forms such as displays and competitions, the event was carried out within Macao’s primary and secondary schools, covering a wide range of traditional Chinese cultural content. It provided a platform for young people to learn and communicate. The event focused on integrating excellent Chinese culture into campus education, enhancing Macao teenagers’ understanding of Chinese culture, and fostering their cultural confidence and patriotic spirit. The CCHC of UM will continue to actively promote similar events to create more opportunities for Macao’s youth to understand, experience, and inherit Chinese culture, contributing to the dissemination and development of excellent traditional Chinese culture in Macao.

Macau Baptist College’s Hard-Pen Calligraphy Competition

Kao Yip Middle School’s “Knowledge” in China Activity Competition

Escola Oficial Zheng Guanying’s Peking Opera and Kunqu in Campus Activity

Escola Tong Nam’s Chinese Cultural Knowledge Card Design Competition

Escola Choi Nong Chi Tai school ‘s Children School’s “Character” Encounter Competition

Minister Li Xuefei met with Professor Zhang Yan and his delegation from the CCHC

Minister Li Xuefei communicated with Professor Zhang Yan and delegation from CCHC

On the morning of January 21, 2025, Zhang Yan, Director of the Centre for Chinese History and Culture (CCHC) at the University of Macau (UM), led a delegation to visit the Education and Youth Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government (LOCPG) in the Macao SAR. The delegation was warmly received by Minister Li Xuefei. During the meeting, Professor Zhang provided a detailed report to the Liaison Office on the future work of the Centre. Minister Li said that the CCHC holds an important position in the inheritance and promotion of Chinese culture, and acknowledged the Centre’s contributions for advancing traditional Chinese history and culture.

During the exchange, Minister Li emphasized the primary tasks of moral education and internal-external connectivity. He pointed out that in Macao, youth, culture, and education hold great significance for the development and preservation of traditional culture. He stressed that youth education should be grounded in the core and foundation of excellent traditional Chinese culture to improve teenagers’ sense of identity and pride in the strength of their motherland. He outlined four directions for the Centre’s work: Firstly, to deeply foster young people’s recognition of Chinese culture, thereby building their cultural confidence; secondly, to encourage youth participation in the “Belt and Road” initiative and the telling of China’s story well; thirdly, to fully leverage Macao’s advantage of integrating Chinese and Western cultures to promote multicultural exchanges; and lastly, to utilize the strengths of the CCHC to exchange with top domestic universities, providing talent support and a broader perspective for Macao’s development.

Both Minister Li and Professor Zhang believe that Macao is experiencing the springtime in higher education, and the CCHC bears a significant mission. As emphasized by President Xi Jinping, the youth of Macao are crucial to the future of both Macao and the motherland. It is imperative to enhance youth education, with a focus on history, culture, and national education, to strengthen their sense of national pride and patriotism. Teenagers are expected to devote themselves to the cause of “One Country, Two Systems”.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister Li Yongxian and Deputy Director Li Yongle from the Education and Youth Affairs Department of the LOCPG, along with Deputy Director Cheang Neng Ian and Administrative Officer WONG Keng Mang from CCHC of UM.