Passing the Torch to Continue the Cultural Legacy, Macau Embarks on a New Chapter — The Centre for Chinese History and Culture of UM Holds the “Fifth Chinese Culture Promotion Ambassador Inauguration Ceremony & ‘Epic and Soul-Stirring’ Series – Patriotic Film Screening”

Organized by the Centre for Chinese History and Culture of the University of Macau, the “Fifth Chinese Culture Promotion Ambassador Inauguration Ceremony & ‘Epic and Soul-Stirring’ Series – Patriotic Film Screening” was held on March 25, 2026, at the Cultural Building of the University of Macau. Distinguished guests in attendance included Mr. Gu Luojun, President of the Macau Tian Shi Dao Cultural Promotion Association; Mr. Shi Zhenglun, Executive President of the Macau Tian Shi Dao Cultural Promotion Association; Mr. Su Wen, Regional Business Director of MGM; Prof. Xu Jie, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Macau; Prof. Zhang Yan, Director of the Centre for Chinese History and Culture; Dr. Cheang Neng Ian, Deputy Director of the Centre; Prof. SIO Chio Ieong, Head of the Academic Research Department, among others. A new cohort of passionate students took up the baton of cultural inheritance, officially becoming the young practitioners of Chinese culture.

The ceremony opened with a retrospective video—scenes showed ambassadors from previous editions stepping into campuses, organizing intangible cultural heritage experiences, and visiting historical sites. Over the past four years, this young team, meticulously cultivated by the Centre for Chinese History and Culture of the University of Macau, has visited dozens of universities, secondary schools, and primary schools across Macao, holding over a hundred exchange events and spreading the sparks of culture across both shores of Macao. These scenes paid tribute to the journey traveled so far and expressed expectations for the new cohort of ambassadors.

In his address, Prof. Zhang Yan, Director of the Centre for Chinese History and Culture, conveyed his sincere hopes for the new ambassadors. He encouraged them to delve deeply into culture, using youthful language and innovative approaches to vividly present the wisdom and aesthetic beauty of Chinese civilization, and to tell China’s story to the world from Macau’s unique multicultural perspective. He emphasized that being an “ambassador” is not merely a title but a responsibility, hoping that students would not only spread knowledge but also illuminate hearts, bridging the past with the present and connecting with the world.

Dr. Cheang Neng Ian, Deputy Director of the Centre, encouraged the new ambassadors in his speech to actively understand their own foundational roles and to embrace the mission of inheriting and promoting the culture of Macau and China. He outlined a blueprint for future activities—ranging from on-campus “Celebrity Lectures” and intangible cultural heritage experiences, to the “City-Wide Inheritance” brand activities reaching Macau’s primary and secondary schools; from organizing “red study tours” to participating in major projects like the “Chinese Culture Festival” and the “Epic and Soul-Stirring” patriotic film series. This array of rich and diverse cultural practices represents both a stage carefully built for the ambassadors and a broad space waiting for their creativity and talent. He affirmed that the Centre would fully support the students’ growth and development, encouraging them to actively put forward their needs, and to collectively promote the flourishing of Macau’s cultural endeavors.

Subsequently, Chen Xiumei, a member of the fourth cohort of Chinese Culture Promotion Ambassadors, shared her practical experiences from the past year. She recounted her participation in the Centre’s academic visits and the Shaoguan study tour, encouraging the new ambassadors to earnestly feel the warmth of history and use their actions to convey the power of culture.

Amidst warm applause, the appointment ceremony for the supervisors and ambassadors of the Fifth Chinese Culture Promotion Ambassadors was held. Professor Zhang Yan, Director of the Centre, presented letters of appointment to supervisors Mr. Gu Luojun, Mr. Shi Zhenglun, and Mr. Su Wen. Dr. Cheang Neng Ian, Associate Director of the Centre; Prof. Sio Chio Ieong, Head of the Academic Research Department; Ms. Leona Kuan, Principal Administrative Officer; and Mr. Gu Luojun, President of the Macau Tian Shi Dao Cultural Promotion Association, jointly presented letters of appointment to the new ambassadors. Ambassadors from previous and current cohorts mingled and exchanged ideas during the subsequent tea reception, sharing practical experiences and illustrating the heartwarming scene of the team’s enduring legacy.

Following the ceremony, the “‘Epic and Soul-Stirring’ Series – Patriotic Film Screening” began. All guests and ambassadors moved to the lecture hall to view the patriotic film The Volunteers. This activity continued the Centre’s long-standing efforts to promote patriotic education and symbolized that the new ambassadors would draw strength from reflecting on history and forge ahead diligently while inheriting culture.

Since its inaugural cohort in 2021, the Chinese Culture Promotion Ambassador program has become a distinguished hallmark of the Centre for Chinese History and Culture at the University of Macau in the field of cultural inheritance. Under the guidance of the “One Country, Two Systems” policy, this young team will continue to uphold the philosophy of “rooted in tradition, embracing innovation,” using Macau as a window to share China’s story, where past and present meet, with the world through various forms such as academic seminars, inter-school exchanges, and Greater Bay Area collaborations.

From the “single sparks igniting a prairie fire” of the first four cohorts to the “passing the torch” of this fifth cohort, with the sustained support of the Centre for Chinese History and Culture at the University of Macau, this cultural endeavor is being carried forward from one generation of youth to the next, radiating increasingly vibrant vitality.