On the morning of July 10, the 2025 "China Roots-Seeking Journey · Fulfilling Dreams in the Free Trade Port" summer camp commenced at Hainan University. A total of 180 overseas Chinese youths and team leaders from eight countries and regions, including the United States and Canada, gathered in Hainan to embark on their cultural heritage exploration

Attending the opening ceremony were Li Feng, Vice Governor of Hainan Province; Liang Mou, Vice Chairman of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and Chairman of the Hainan Provincial Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, along with Vice Chairman Huang Wenhui; Zeng Xiaoming, Director of the Hainan Provincial Overseas Chinese Affairs Office; Lyu Xiaolei, Vice Mayor of Haikou City; and Hainan University leaders Zhang Jiyou, Qiu Xiguang, Tan Yong, and Yang Zhixin.

Opening Ceremony (Photo by Zhu Mingshuo)

Opening Ceremony (Photo by Liao Dandan)

During the ceremony, Li Feng, Zhang Jiyou, and Lyu Xiaolei delivered speeches. Li Feng, Liang Mou, and Zeng Xiaoming presented flags to each team.

"Hainan boasts not only stunning natural scenery but also a wealth of intangible cultural heritage treasures," said team leader representative Zhou Chunyan. She expressed hope that the participants would gain knowledge and friendship, as well as a deeper recognition and love for the culture of their ancestral homeland.

Team leader Zhou Chunyan speaks at the opening ceremony. (Photo by Liao Dandan)

Participant representative Zhao Weiqi shared, "This is my third visit to Hainan—from initial wonder, to deeper understanding, and now a feeling of coming back home. I want to explore traditional Chinese culture in greater depth and further understand the unique charm of the Hainan Free Trade Port."

Participant pepresentative Zhao Weiqi speaks at the ceremony. (Photo by Liao Dandan)

Following the ceremony, the participants engaged in "ice-breaking activities" such as sandbag tossing and collaborative tower-building. The program also included guided tours of key university facilities: the State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in the South China Sea, the Applied Scenarios Integration Exhibition Hall of the Collaborative Innovation Center, and the Hainan Culture Exhibition Hall in the university library.

Ice-Breaking Activities (Photo by Liao Dandan)

Summer camp members visit the university. (Photos by Zhang Mengting, Liao Dandan, and Zhu Mingshuo)

This summer camp was organized by the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, hosted by the Hainan Provincial Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, and supported by Hainan University.

Translated by Shu Wenzhuo

Proofread by Feng Jun