On October 11th, during an interview with a reporter from China News Service in Xiamen, it was revealed that the city is hosting a series of events to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Chen Jiageng. These activities aim to honor Chen’s historical contributions and appreciate his admirable character, while also fostering a sense of unity for national development and rejuvenation.
According to an announcement by the Xiamen government, there are a total of 38 planned activities to celebrate this significant anniversary. So far, 11 events have been completed, with 27 more scheduled to take place.
The completed events include a Qingming Festival ceremony honoring Chen Jiageng at his grave and a dragon boat race involving participants from both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
In the latter half of this month, several key events are set to occur, including a commemorative concert, symposiums, academic discussions, and special exhibitions. Additionally, there will be a ceremony marking the completion of restoration work on Chen Jiageng’s former residence and related exhibits, as well as a lighting ceremony. Xiamen University, Jimei University, and Huaqiao University will also be involved in hosting related commemorative activities.
Xiamen is Chen Jiageng’s hometown. Since 2014, the city’s municipal government has designated October, the month of Chen’s birth, as “Jia Geng Spirit Promotion Month.” Starting in 2018, Xiamen has held “Jia Geng Cultural Weeks” each October, featuring a range of activities designed to promote the “Jia Geng Spirit.” In 2019, they launched a digital exhibition hall at the Chen Jiageng Memorial Hall, and in 2023, they took the exhibition “Overseas Chinese Flag, National Glory: The Life of Chen Jiageng” to 11 schools in Hong Kong, along with hosting dozens of overseas exhibitions centered around themes related to overseas Chinese.
