6 July 2026, the atmosphere at the Fenix Immigration Museum in Rotterdam was solemn yet warm. Housed in a former warehouse of the Holland-Amerika Lijn, the building bears witness to the departures and arrivals of countless migrants. On this day, it hosted a special grand ceremony: the Commemoration of 115 Years of Chinese Community Development in the Netherlands combined with the Inauguration of the 14th Council of the Federation of Chinese Associations in the Netherlands.

Group photo of members of the 14th Council of the Federation of Chinese Associations in the Netherlands together with Chinese and foreign guests

Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Netherlands Shen Bo, Counsellor He Shiqing, Mr. Marc Moquette, China Desk Officer at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Tim Versnel, Deputy Mayor of Rotterdam, Ms. Monique Knapen, Chairperson of the Netherlands-China Friendship Association, and Dutch Chinese Parliamentarian Mr. Wang Mengzhong attended the event. Also present were Huang Qilin, outgoing President of the Federation of Chinese Associations in the Netherlands, Chen Long, newly elected President, over 300 guests from Germany, Belgium and other regions, as well as council members and overseas Chinese community leaders representing the Federation.

Scene of the event

Looking Back on Our Journey – Rooted for a Century, Building the China-Netherlands Bridge Together

Chen Long, General Commander of the Commemoration Event, explained the profound significance of choosing 2026 as this historical milestone in his opening address. According to mainstream international academic research, large numbers of Chinese seafarers arrived in Rotterdam around 1911 and settled in the Katendrecht district, marking a crucial starting point for the development of the modern Chinese community in the Netherlands.

Opening Address by General Commander Chen Long

Therefore, we take 2026 as an important milestone to look back on 115 years of arduous struggle. This is both a tribute to history and a homage to the fighting spirit of generations of Chinese compatriots in the Netherlands.

Before the event commenced, all attendees watched a short documentary together. The film looked back on the 115-year development of the Chinese community in the Netherlands, retraced the arduous paths paved by our predecessors, and conveyed the enduring spiritual strength passed down through generations of overseas Chinese.

Chen Jie, Secretary-General of the Federation of Chinese Associations in the Netherlands, co-hosted the event together with Ms. Emmely Wang.

President Huang Qilin delivered a welcome speech. He stated that hosting the commemoration at the Fenix Immigration Museum, a place steeped in migrant historical memories, serves as both a tribute to generations of hardworking Chinese pioneers over the past century and a reminder for future generations to remember this precious and profound history. He expressed gratitude to all sectors for their long-term support and assistance to the Federation. He added that the Federation will continue to uphold its mission of “serving overseas Chinese, fostering integration and promoting cultural heritage”, further act as a vital bridge and link, and contribute to the development of the Chinese community as well as friendly exchanges between China and the Netherlands.

President Huang Qilin delivers a welcome speech

Mr. Marc Moquette, China Desk Officer at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke highly of the Federation of Chinese Associations in the Netherlands in his address. He noted that since its establishment, the Federation has consistently served as an important bridge connecting the Netherlands, China and the Chinese community in the Netherlands, making positive contributions to promoting exchanges and cooperation and enhancing mutual understanding.

He stated that the world today is moving towards a more multipolar development landscape, with international relations becoming increasingly interconnected and complex. Only by strengthening dialogue, deepening mutual trust and promoting exchanges of knowledge and experience can we better address common challenges.

He pointed out that the Federation of Chinese Associations in the Netherlands is not only an important platform connecting different communities, but also a vital bond for people-to-people exchanges between the Netherlands and China.

Finally, he extended sincere respect to outgoing President Mr. Huang Qilin and wished newly elected President Mr. Chen Long every success in leading the Federation to continue rallying the strength of the overseas Chinese community and making new contributions to advancing friendly cooperation and social mutual trust between the Netherlands and China.

Speech by Mr. Marc Moquette, China Desk Officer at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ambassador Shen Bo of the People's Republic of China to the Netherlands, in his address, extended warm congratulations on the successful holding of the event on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands, and conveyed sincere greetings and best wishes to the vast number of overseas Chinese in the Netherlands.

He remarked that looking back on over a century of arduous endeavour by the Chinese community in the Netherlands, generations of overseas Chinese have carved out a livelihood through hard work, stood united in mutual support, and passed the torch from generation to generation. They have not only deeply integrated  local society, but also actively promoted China-Netherlands economic and trade cooperation, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and people-to-people bonds, making important contributions to the development of China-Netherlands friendly relations.

Ambassador Shen Bo pointed out that the vast overseas Chinese community always keeps their motherland (ancestral home) close to heart and resonates in sync with the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. He expressed the hope that the Federation of Chinese Associations in the Netherlands will continue to play its role as a bridge and bond, unite and rally the strength of overseas Chinese, promote fine Chinese culture, and serve as worthy people-to-people envoys for China-Netherlands friendly exchanges.

The Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands will always remain true to its original aspiration and mission, continue to serve the overseas Chinese community with dedication and warmth, and tly push for the prosperity and development of the Chinese community and for China-Netherlands friendly cooperation to continuously reach new heights.

---

Speech by Ambassador Shen Bo of the People’s Republic of China to the Netherlands

Before the event kicked off, Ambassador Shen Bo toured the photo and artefact exhibition "Stories of the Chinese Community" together with all guests. Featuring historical photographs, archival documents and physical exhibits, the exhibition reviews over a century of arduous endeavours of Chinese people in the Netherlands and unfolds a historical scroll depicting the integration and t progress of the Chinese community and Dutch society.

 

Ambassador Shen Bo visits the Stories of the Chinese Community and the Photo Exhibition of Early Chinese Communities

 

Passing the Torch – The Solemn Handover Ceremony Takes Place

The Federation of Chinese Associations in the Netherlands held its handover ceremony. Chen Long, Executive President of the 13th Council, officially succeeded Huang Qilin as President of the 14th Council, with the official seal of the Federation handed over. 

Work Report by President Huang Qilin

Outgoing President Huang Qilin delivered a report on the major work completed during his more than three years in office. He stated that the Federation has always adhered to its tenet of "serving overseas Chinese, promoting integration and carrying forward culture", and taken proactive actions in public welfare and charity, China-Netherlands exchanges, cultural heritage and community development. He expressed gratitude to fellow associations, all overseas Chinese and all sectors of society for their long-term support. He voiced confidence that under the leadership of President Chen Long, the Federation will continue to unite overseas Chinese and elevate the development of the Chinese community to new heights. 

Inaugural Speech by President Chen Long of the 14th Council of the Federation of Chinese Associations in the Netherlands

Newly elected President Chen Long paid tribute to colleagues of all previous terms and thanked all council members for their trust in his inaugural address. He put forward three core visions for the new council term: first, to continue serving as a trusted communication bridge between the Chinese community in the Netherlands and the Dutch government, voicing the aspirations of overseas Chinese in a rational and constructive manner; second, to encourage more outstanding Chinese youth to participate in politics and public affairs and engage in public service; third, drawing on the dual cultural background, to both pass on the essence of Chinese culture and take deep roots and integrate  Dutch society.

Finally, Chen Long quoted a line from the French writer Albert Camus, sharing it with everyone as a source of inspiration: "Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend."

Let us walk hand in hand and march forward side by side; let us remember our journey and forge ahead  the future; let us together write a brand-new chapter for the Chinese community in the Netherlands!

Speech by Mr. Tim Versnel, Deputy Mayor of Rotterdam

Mr. Tim Versnel, Deputy Mayor of Rotterdam, looked back on the development history of Chinese people in Rotterdam. He stated that the values of the Chinese community—diligence, ambition, emphasis on family and intergenerational heritage—align closely with the spirit of Rotterdam. He paid special tribute to councilor Emmely Wang for her long-standing vital contributions to the Chinese community and the development of Rotterdam. He remarked: “The doors of Rotterdam City Hall will always be open to you.”

 

Ms. Monique Knapen, President of the Netherlands-China Friendship Association

Ms. Monique Knapen, President of the Netherlands-China Friendship Association, said that after nearly 40 years of development, the Federation of Chinese Associations in the Netherlands has evolved from an initial exchange platform  an important bridge linking the Chinese community and mainstream Dutch society. She thanked outgoing President Huang Qilin and former President Ji Zengbin for their outstanding contributions, and wished President Chen Long and the new council every success in achieving greater accomplishments. On behalf of the Netherlands-China Friendship Association, she presented a souvenir to the Federation.

 

The Netherlands-China Friendship Association presented souvenirs to the Federation. 

Speech by Mr. He Shiqing, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands

On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands, Counselor He Shiqing extended congratulations to the new council and paid tribute to Huang Qilin and all former presidents. He said that visiting the exhibition documenting the development of Chinese people in the Netherlands offered him a deeper insight  the journey of migration, settlement and relentless striving of overseas Chinese here.

He affirmed that as an integrated umbrella organization of the Chinese community in the Netherlands, the Federation of Chinese Associations in the Netherlands has long stayed true to its founding mission and shouldered its responsibilities bravely. It coordinates and pools community resources, unites overseas Chinese in the Netherlands, and delivers remarkable results in safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of overseas Chinese, rallying community cohesion, fulfilling community obligations and boosting bilateral exchanges. It stands as the backbone of the Chinese community in the Netherlands.

He expressed the hope that the Federation will carry forward the spirit of solidarity and hard work, rally broader strength from overseas Chinese communities, and act as a disseminator of fine Chinese culture, a promoter of China-Netherlands friendship and a practitioner of people-to-people cooperation between the two countries. 

Group photo of the Executive Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents of the 14th Council of the Federation of Chinese Associations in the Netherlands and distinguished guests

 

Group photo of advisors to the 14th Council of the Federation of Chinese Associations in the Netherlands together with consular officials. Below are behind-the-scenes photos from the event.