Peng Liyuan Encourages Macao Students to Embrace Chinese Culture
Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, visited the Macao Museum on Thursday, urging students in the Macao Special Administrative Region to deepen their understanding of Chinese culture and actively participate in both regional and national development.
“I hope you learn more about the history of Chinese culture, study it well, and use the knowledge to better build our homeland and make Macao even better,” Peng said during her conversation with students at the museum.
During her visit, Peng admired cultural relics and gained an in-depth understanding of Macao’s historical evolution, highlighting the blend of Chinese and Western architecture, industries, and cultural life. She also participated in local cultural activities, including making almond cookies—a traditional delicacy—and interacting with artisans skilled in tile painting and wood carving.
Accompanying President Xi Jinping for the celebrations of the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to China, Peng’s visit underscores the importance of cultural heritage in fostering national identity and unity.
Over the past 25 years, Macao has leveraged its rich historical and cultural heritage to promote traditional Chinese culture and facilitate cultural exchanges between China and other countries. The region is home to at least 12 national intangible cultural heritages, such as Cantonese Opera, Cantonese Naamyam (Narrative Songs), Herbal Tea Brewing, and the Festival of the Drunken Dragon, reflecting the preservation and inheritance of traditional Chinese culture.
Initiatives like the “Chinese Excellent Traditional Culture into the Campus” have been instrumental in instilling love for traditional Chinese culture and patriotic values among younger generations. These programs facilitate student visits to significant cultural sites such as the Xian Xinghai Memorial Museum and General Ye Ting’s Former Residence.
Macao has also enhanced cultural exchanges between its students and their mainland counterparts, laying a strong foundation for youth to integrate into the overall development of the country. In December 2021, approximately 170 primary and secondary school students from Macao participated in the “Tiangong Class,” a space education program connected to China’s space station, hosted at the Macao Science Center. The students had the opportunity to interact with astronauts, sparking interest in space exploration and science.
Since 2005, the Cultural Practice Activities for Hong Kong and Macao University Students has engaged thousands of young people from the special administrative regions. In 2023, students from Macao and Hong Kong visited Xiong’an New Area and held in-depth discussions on topics like entrepreneurship and employment at the Zhongguancun Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Youth Innovation Center.
In addition to its integration into national development, Macao strategically utilizes its geographical advantages to promote cultural exchanges between China and other countries. As one of the first Chinese cities to open to the outside world, Macao has evolved into a vibrant hub for cultural exchange between China and the West.
The China-Portugal Joint Laboratory of Cultural Heritage Conservation Science, supported by the Belt and Road Initiative, exemplifies these efforts. Established by the City University of Macao and the University of Évora in Portugal, the joint lab is based at Soochow University in east China’s Jiangsu Province. Since receiving grants from China’s Ministry of Science and Technology in September 2020, the laboratory has served as a bridge between China, Portugal, and other Belt and Road Initiative partner countries, promoting China’s cultural narrative, fostering cultural confidence, and safeguarding cultural heritage along the Maritime Silk Road.
Reference(s):
Peng Liyuan calls on Macao students to embrace Chinese culture
cgtn.com
