The 4th World Cantonese Conference opened in Zhaoqing to unite and write a new chapter in the Bay Area

The surging Xijiang River, the towering city, the grand event of Guangfu, the shining inkstone.

On November 11, the 17th World Congress of Cantonese People (hereinafter referred to as the "World Congress") opened in Zhaoqing, Guangdong. More than 60,421 guests from <> associations from <> countries and regions around the world gathered in Yandu and Qixing Zhaoqing in China to talk about nostalgia, increase unity, promote development, inherit excellent traditional culture, and gather the strength of Cantonese people around the world to accelerate the construction of a new development pattern for the new era and new journey.

This is a worldwide gathering of Cantonese people. Cantonese people have footprints all over the world and are the people with the largest number of overseas Chinese. After thousands of years of struggle, the people of Canton have spread out, and the culture of Canton has spread all over the world. The World Canton Conference will allow Cantonese people from all over the world to return to their homeland, find their hometown sounds, talk about their hometowns, discuss cooperation, realize their dreams, and inherit the spirit of Cantonese together.

This is a new opportunity to jointly promote the development of the Greater Bay Area. Six years after the previous one, the 6th World Expo was the first World Expo to be held since the implementation of the development strategy of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. As a rookie and dynamic city in the Bay Area, Zhaoqing will closely focus on the in-depth promotion of the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in the new stage, further unite overseas Chinese, unite the hearts of overseas Chinese, give full play to the wisdom of overseas Chinese, and pool the strength of overseas Chinese, so as to open a new chapter with Cantonese people at home and abroad.

A historical city, continuing the cultural context of Guangfu

One side of the water and soil gives birth to one side of the culture. Zhaoqing is located in the core area of the Pearl River Delta, bordering the southwest in the west, the Pearl River estuary in the east, the Xijiang River, and Southeast Asia. Nourished by the Xijiang River, the "mother river", Zhaoqing is an important birthplace of Cantonese culture, one of the birthplaces of Cantonese language, and one of the earliest places where Central Plains culture and Lingnan culture, Western culture and traditional Chinese culture meet. So far, it is a national historical and cultural city, an important part of the Guangzhou metropolitan area and one of the cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

From Yuejiang Tower, Chongxi Tower, and the ancient city wall in Zhaoqing City, to Deqing Confucius Temple, Yuecheng Dragon Mother Ancestral Temple, and Sanyuan Tower; From Fengkai Guangxin Tower, Fengchuan Ancient City, Huangyan Cave, to Gaoyao Academy, Xingyan Academy, Mei'an... These relics and monuments are closely related to the Cantonese culture, witnessing the origin, inheritance and growth of the Cantonese culture.

Xie Yuanmou, president of Zhaoqing Xingyan Academy, believes that traditional Chinese culture is the root of the Chinese nation, and in the same way, Cantonese culture is also the root of Cantonese people. As the birthplace of Cantonese culture, Zhaoqing should inherit and promote the orthodox Cantonese culture, so that Cantonese culture can go to a broader world.

Zhaoqing is sparing no effort to protect and pass on the local cultural heritage. The circumference of the ancient city wall of Zhaoqing was built in the Song Dynasty is more than 2800,20 meters, although it has gone through vicissitudes, but after more than <> repairs, it has been preserved intact so far, the position of the city wall and the city gate has not been changed, which is rare in the country. Historic sites such as Piyun Tower, Lichen Tower, and Shiqiao Pavilion are distributed inside and outside the city wall, blending with the city.

In the future, it will focus on building museums, antiques, calligraphy and paintings, tourism, souvenirs, food, art and other contents, inheriting the century-old memory of Zhaoqing, and the rejuvenation of Fucheng has achieved initial results.

In addition, a large number of cultural relics protection units with distinctive Guangfu cultural characteristics, such as Fengkai Guangxin Cultural Park, Deqing Xue Palace, Gaoyao Xue Palace, Yuecheng Dragon Mother Ancestral Temple, Sanyuan Pagoda, Mei Nunnery, Liuzu Temple, Chongxi Tower, Yuejiang Tower, Bao Gong Ancestral Hall, Qixingyan Cliff Carving Group and Huaiji newly discovered Tang and Song Dynasty cliff inscriptions, have been repaired in a timely manner, and the cultural context of Guangfu culture has been continued from the carrier.

Up to now, a total of 2539,6 immovable cultural relics have been registered in Zhaoqing, including 47 national key cultural relics protection units and 3 cultural relics protection units in Guangdong Province; There are 29 national intangible cultural heritage representative projects, 3400 provincial intangible cultural heritage representative projects, and more than <>,<> intangible cultural heritage clues have been collected.

Under the heavy historical accumulation, Zhaoqing has formed regional characteristic cultures such as Baogong culture, Song culture, Duanyan culture, Dragon Mother culture, Liuzu culture, cliff stone carving culture, and Guangxin culture with strong local characteristics.

Zhaoqing will take the opportunity of the World Canton Expo, based on the actual cultural ecology of Zhaoqing Guangfu, plan to build the Guangfu Culture (Zhaoqing) Ecological Protection Experimental Zone, and form a theme group for the overall protection of Guangfu culture and ecology with Zhaoqing's regional characteristics, reflecting the rich connotation of Zhaoqing Guangfu culture and highlighting the spiritual value of Zhaoqing Guangfu culture.

Gather overseas Chinese strength and write "overseas Chinese" articles in the new era

Zhaoqing, take the meaning of "auspicious beginning". During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Liangguang Governor's Mansion was stationed in Zhaoqing for 182 years and was an important political, economic, cultural and military center in the Liangguang region.

Bao Zheng, a famous minister of the Northern Song Dynasty, once presided over Duanzhou, and was famous for his incorruptible style of "not holding an inkstone". During the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, Wang Pan served as the prefect of Zhaoqing, presided over the diversion of water into the Xijiang River, and advocated the construction of the Qixingyan Scenic Area. Matteo Ricci, the "first person to communicate Chinese and Western cultures", left footprints in Zhaoqing and drew the first Chinese world map "Kunyu Wanguo Quantu".

Looking back on modern history, revolutionary pioneer Sun Yat-sen and Northern Expedition general Ye Ting also have deep roots in Zhaoqing. Wu Dayou, the father of Chinese physics, and Li Xiongcai, a master of the Lingnan School of painting, are all from Zhaoqing.

The people of Guangfu have become an important force in promoting the high-quality development of the local area.

The 4th World Broadcasting Conference continues the tradition of selecting the "Top Ten Outstanding Figures" and "Top Ten Outstanding Young Persons" of Cantonese people in the world, aiming to discover Cantonese people from different regions, fields and industries around the world who have made outstanding achievements and actively served the society. Among them, Zhaoqing talents have made dazzling achievements.

Deng Wenzhong, a Chinese-American and a world-famous bridge expert, has participated in the design and construction of more than 100 bridges all over the world, and has served as a technical consultant for many large bridges in China.

Zhaoqing Sihui and Olympic champion Xian Dongmei, China's first "mother-level Olympic champion", still bravely climbed another peak in her career after retiring, served in the Asian and Chinese Judo Association, and served as the head coach of the national judo team.

Liang Xiaojing, an active athlete of the Chinese track and field team, known as the "Chinese female flyer", won the 17-meter championship of the Youth Olympic Games at the age of 19, participated in the Rio Olympics at the age of 4, and won the women's 100×<>-meter relay championship at the Hangzhou Asian Games this year, which is the youngest winner of the "Double Ten Talents" selection.

Overseas Chinese and returned overseas Chinese from Guangzhou are also an indispensable force for the development of their hometowns. According to statistics, there are more than 3200,70 returned overseas Chinese, more than 70,57 returned overseas Chinese and their relatives from Hong Kong and Macao, and more than <>,<> overseas Chinese and Hong Kong and Macao compatriots living abroad. Overseas Chinese living in Zhaoqing are widely distributed in <> countries and regions on five continents, with Southeast Asia and Australia being the majority.

In recent years, Zhaoqing has given full play to its unique advantages of "extensive connections, integration between China and foreign countries, and global coverage" to carry out multi-level service centers, innovation and entrepreneurship, and joint development activities; Continuously expand overseas and new overseas Chinese work, and expand the coverage of overseas Chinese resources; Keep in touch with more than 400 overseas Chinese communities and overseas Chinese groups around the world, accumulate overseas Chinese potential and empower overseas Chinese for economic and social development, and continue to write articles on "overseas Chinese" in the new era.

The ancient meets the modern, and the opportunities for a vibrant city are endless

Cantonese culture is one of the important traditional cultures in the Greater Bay Area, and Zhaoqing and other cities in the Greater Bay Area belong to the same Cantonese cultural circle, with the characteristics of common language, geographical proximity, affinity and cultural roots. Zhaoqing will take Cantonese culture as a link and the World Canton Conference as a platform to seek the future development of the Greater Bay Area with Cantonese people around the world.

At present, Zhaoqing conscientiously implements the specific deployment of the "1310" of the Provincial Party Committee, anchors the primary task of high-quality development, focuses on accelerating the construction of the western growth pole of the core area of the Pearl River Delta and the "two orientations" of the modern new city of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and focuses on promoting the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the manufacturing industry, the "high-quality development project of <> counties, thousands of towns and villages", and the ecological construction of Lumei Guangdong, basic and strategic construction of major projects.

On September 9, Zhaoqing held the 27 Key Industry Investment Promotion Conference, inviting more than 2023 Cantonese entrepreneurs at home and abroad to participate. Their industries cover new energy vehicles and auto parts, new energy storage, electronic information, advanced equipment manufacturing, real estate, business services and other industries, which match the development direction of Zhaoqing and help expand the "circle of friends" of Zhaoqing's industry.

At the opening ceremony of the 1168th World Expo, Zhaoqing promoted the investment environment, promoted development opportunities to visitors from all over the world, and looked forward to the prospects of the industry. Zhaoqing is expanding and strengthening leading industries such as new energy vehicles and auto parts, new energy storage, and electronic information, and doing excellent and fine metal processing, green building materials, fine chemicals, food and beverage prefabricated dishes and other characteristic industries, with 3619,<> enterprises in "leading + characteristic" characteristic industries, with an output value of <>.<> billion yuan.

Among them, driven by leading enterprises such as Xiaopeng Motors, the output value of the new energy vehicle industry will exceed 2025 billion yuan this year and is expected to reach 2000 billion yuan in <>. With the support of CATL, Leoch Power and other enterprises, Zhaoqing has formed a relatively complete industrial chain from batteries to materials, accessories, equipment, recycling and other links, and is becoming an important node of the new energy storage industry chain in Guangdong Province. Under the promotion of Fenghua Hi-Tech, Aoshikang and other enterprises, Zhaoqing has formed an electronic information industry system featuring new electronic materials, new electronic components, optical electronics, semiconductor lighting, etc.

After the meeting, the participants will also participate in the cultural experience tour of Guangfu in the Xijiang River Basin to fully understand Zhaoqing's unique Cantonese culture, beautiful natural scenery, economic development achievements, urban construction and rural revitalization achievements.

The curtain is open, and the future can be expected. With the help of the World Expo, Zhaoqing has entered an international perspective, and the Greater Bay Area has once again become the focus of the world. The conference will take overseas Chinese as a bridge, bring together overseas Chinese strength, give full play to the wisdom of overseas Chinese, unite the hearts of overseas Chinese, and become an important window to promote the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and an important force to promote high-quality development.

bright spot

●The number of participating countries (regions) and associations is the largest in the past

Since the preparation of the 1000th World Expo, Zhaoqing City has actively publicized and launched two overseas delegations to visit the United Kingdom, Portugal, Brazil, Argentina and Peru, and visited important local associations and overseas Chinese, and invited them to participate in the meeting. The relevant departments of Zhaoqing City and the Cantonese Friendship Association also launched invitations respectively, and the guests responded enthusiastically and participated enthusiastically, and overseas Cantonese people and overseas Chinese are very much looking forward to coming back to participate in this event. More than 60,421 guests from 25 countries and regions, <> associations, and <> overseas Chinese associations who were unable to attend the meeting sent congratulatory videos and congratulatory letters.

●The first meeting was held after the implementation of the development strategy of the Greater Bay Area

The 6th World Expo is the first World Expo to be held since the implementation of the development strategy of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, which has attracted the attention of people at home and abroad. In addition to inviting delegations from 21 Cantonese cities such as Guangzhou and Nanning to attend the conference, the conference also specially invited delegations from the governments of the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions and the governments of Shenzhen and Huizhou to attend the conference, gathering together with Cantonese people at home and abroad.

●Hold economic and cultural seminars to support regional development

During the 700th World Expo, an economic seminar and a Cantonese cultural seminar on "Gathering Overseas Chinese in Guangzhou to Promote the High-quality Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area" will be held, with more than <> guests registered.

●Innovative form of activities constitutes the "Yueyue World Expo"

Zhaoqing City gives full play to the wisdom, strength and resources of Cantonese people and overseas Chinese groups all over the world, and innovatively organizes a number of activities in the 4th World Canton Expo, constituting the "Yueyue World Canton Expo", providing a rich and colorful cultural life for the general public and tourists, and better inheriting and promoting Cantonese culture. Including the publication and distribution of the "Zhaoqing Celebration Register", the construction of the commemorative logo of the conference, the production of the first day cover and commemorative stamps of the 4th World Canton Games, the holding of a series of activities to promote the high-quality development of Zhaoqing investment, the holding of the Cantonese culture Zhaoqing historical knowledge quiz competition, Cantonese opera performances, Duanyan jade exhibitions, Zhaoqing intangible cultural heritage exhibitions, "Cantonese rhyme exercises" into the campus and other activities.

●Added a cultural experience tour of Guangfu in the Xijiang Basin

In the previous three World Expos, there was only one visit and inspection route for the "Root-Seeking Tour" in Nanxiong Zhuji Lane in Shaoguan, and the "Xijiang Basin Guangfu Cultural Experience Tour" was added to the World Expo. The route mainly selects Yuecheng Dragon Mother Ancestral Temple, Deqing Xue Palace, Zhaoqing Prefecture Administration Ruins Park, China Duanyan Museum, Yuejiang Tower and other cultural and historical sites of Guangfu, as well as Qixingyan Scenic Area, Zhaoqing New District, Gaoyao Hahale Farming Paradise, Lychee New Village and other rural revitalization points as the main inspection points, to experience the achievements of Zhaoqing's economic development, urban construction, Guangfu charm and cultural tourism.

●From offline to "cloud" diversified presentation

In order to further enhance the influence and attention of the World Cantonese Conference, so that Cantonese people at home and abroad can witness the grand occasion of the conference, the opening ceremony on the morning of November 11 will be broadcast live on a global webcast, and the global audience can listen to and watch the conference.

■Case

Zhaoqing promotes the construction of the Guangfu Cultural and Ecological Protection Experimental Zone

Excavate and highlight the cultural value of Zhaoqing Guangfu

Zhaoqing City has a profound cultural heritage and rich intangible cultural heritage resources. This year, Zhaoqing plans to build the Guangfu Cultural (Zhaoqing) Ecological Protection Experimental Zone. The creation work will be based on the construction goals of the cultural and ecological reserve, and according to the classification standards of intangible cultural heritage and the main protection objects, a theme group for the overall protection of Guangfu culture and ecology with the regional characteristics of Zhaoqing will be formed, reflecting the rich connotation of Zhaoqing Cantonese culture, highlighting the value of Zhaoqing Cantonese culture, and striving to achieve the construction goal of "rich heritage, strong atmosphere, distinctive characteristics, and benefits to the people".

Since the beginning of the year, the Zhaoqing Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Tourism and Sports has carried out in-depth research and solidly promoted the preparation for the creation of the foundation. At present, the preparation of the "Implementation Plan for the Protection of Cultural and Ecological Ecology in Guangfu of Zhaoqing City (2023-2026)" (draft for review) has been completed, and it is planned to be issued in the near future.

At the same time, the Zhaoqing Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Tourism and Sports collected clues on intangible cultural heritage from the city. At present, a total of more than 3400,1 intangible cultural heritage clues have been included, and the estimated amount of intangible cultural heritage clues has reached 4,2539, and 27900,6 immovable cultural relics have been registered, and more than 2100,<> movable cultural relics (more than <>,<> pieces) have been registered, including <>,<> precious cultural relics.

The Zhaoqing Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Tourism and Sports has completed the investigation and recording of key protection projects such as the ancient method of papermaking in Sihui, and launched the recording video of 12 inheritors; He has published important books such as "Selected Folk Songs of Zhaoqing" and "Illustrated Dictionary of Chinese Duanyan"; Filmed and produced the "MOOC "Zhaoqing Folk Songs New Singing", and established a representative project and inheritor directory system.

In order to comprehensively promote the protection of Cantonese culture, in recent years, "new museums" have emerged in Zhaoqing: Zhaoqing Museum, Li Xiongcai Art Museum, Li Xiongcai Art Memorial Hall, Duanyan Museum, Xinghu Museum... In addition, a number of new public cultural spaces such as "Cantonese Book Bar" and "Cantonese Culture Square" have been established, and they have successively settled in scenic spots, shopping malls and art galleries such as Qixingyan and Dinghu Mountain, and are creating a new cultural front integrating books, tea, coffee, cultural and creative industries.

On November 11, on the basement floor of the Zhaoqing Museum, the construction staff rushed to set up the exhibition, which is expected to open in the near future. It will become the first intangible cultural heritage exhibition hall in Zhaoqing to systematically and intensively display the city's intangible cultural heritage, and become another cultural landmark rich in Zhaoqing's regional characteristics.

"These works will lay a good foundation for our city to create a provincial-level Guangfu Cultural (Zhaoqing) Ecological Protection Experimental Zone in the next step." Zhang Rong, deputy director of the Zhaoqing Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Tourism and Sports, said that at present, Zhaoqing will hold the World Cantonese People Conference, which will become an important opportunity to publicize and promote Zhaoqing's humanities, history, landscape and economy, hoping to gather the strength of overseas Chinese in Zhaoqing with the help of the event and help Zhaoqing's high-quality economic and social development.

Written by: Lu Shuman Editorial Coordinator: Zhang Yin (Source: Nanfang Daily)