(Photo:Zhou Shanchuan) Seventy-seven years of trials and hardships have witnessed new chapters of development across China. Generations of overseas Chinese have always kept their homeland in their hearts, and the Dutch overseas Chinese community gathers to celebrate the National Day. On the evening of 21 September, overseas Chinese in the Netherlands held a grand event at Het Grote Eetcafé in Utrecht to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Hu Guoqian, Chairman of the Conference and President of the Overseas Chinese Association in the Netherlands, Zhu Jiayao, Counsellor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, together with other embassy officials, Monique Knapen, President of the Netherlands-China Friendship Association (VNC), Chen Long, President of the Federation of Chinese Associations in the Netherlands, more than 650 guests including heads of major Chinese associations in the Netherlands, representatives of overseas Chinese and Dutch friends attended the celebration. Colourful flags hung all over the venue, filled with festive joy. It was a warm scene showing the unity of the overseas Chinese community in the Netherlands and the friendship shared between Chinese and Dutch friends.

Chairman Hu Guoqian delivered a speech, starting with a review of the 77-year development journey of New China. He noted that China has continuously achieved new successes in scientific and technological innovation, improvement of people’s livelihood, ecological conservation and other fields. “The development and prosperity of our motherland is the greatest source of confidence and the highest honour for us overseas compatriots,” he stated.

Chairman Hu Guoqian spoke specifically about the patriotic tradition of the Chinese community in the Netherlands. He recounted that in the 1950s, the predecessors of the Overseas Chinese Association in the Netherlands were the first to raise the Five-starred Red Flag in Europe. The flag embodies the love for the motherland held by overseas compatriots back then and passes on spiritual strength to later generations. Generations of overseas Chinese in the Netherlands keep their hometown in their hearts. Meanwhile, they work diligently, operate lawfully in the Netherlands, actively integrate  local society, take part in public welfare and give back to the community.

He stated that overseas Chinese should leverage their unique advantage as bridges connecting China and the West, spread Chinese culture, and boost China-Netherlands economic and trade exchanges as well as people-to-people mutual understanding and trust. “We love the Netherlands, our second home, and cherish deeply our motherland far away,” he said. He expressed the hope that China-Netherlands friendly cooperation will continue to deepen and benefit peoples of both countries for a long time.

Entrusted by Ambassador Shen Bo, who has returned to China on official duties, Counsellor Zhu Jiayao attended the celebration and delivered a speech. He remarked that it is precious that the overseas Chinese community in the Netherlands voluntarily organises National Day celebrations every year. On behalf of the Embassy, he thanked the event organising committee and overseas Chinese from all walks of life for their hard work.

Counsellor Zhu Jiayao said that over the past 77 years, New China has blazed a path to modernisation suited to its national conditions. China’s development achievements embody the hard work of the Chinese people and also rely on the dedication of generations of overseas compatriots who cherish their homeland and serve as links between China and the rest of the world. This year marks the start of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period. Faced with this new stage of development, China will continue to pursue high-quality development and advance high-level opening-up. He noted that the Netherlands is an important partner of China in Europe. Next year will mark the 55th anniversary of the establishment of ambassadorial-level diplomatic relations between China and the Netherlands, and he looks forward to further expanding bilateral cooperation across all fields.

Counsellor Zhu Jiayao expressed the hope that overseas Chinese in the Netherlands will continue to leverage their strengths in capital, technology, talent and information to participate in China’s development and China-Netherlands cooperation. He encouraged them to care for the growth of the new generation of Chinese descendants and pass on China’s fine traditional culture. At the same time, he hoped that overseas compatriots would abide by Dutch laws and regulations, respect local customs and traditions, actively integrate  and give back to local society, and make new contributions to strengthening friendship between the two peoples.

Chairman Chen Long delivered a speech on behalf of the Federation of Chinese Associations in the Netherlands. He said that tremendous changes have taken place in China over the past 77 years, which is the shared pride of Chinese people at home and abroad. Meanwhile, overseas Chinese living in the Netherlands are also part of Dutch society, working, starting businesses and developing here. He believes that affection for China’s history, culture and roots does not conflict with cherishing the land of the Netherlands  they live. Based on mutual respect, overseas Chinese in the Netherlands can fully serve as bridges for exchanges between China and the Netherlands.

Chairman Chen Long also clearly stated his stance against racial discrimination, ethnic discrimination and prejudice. He said that regardless of skin colour, ethnicity or cultural background, everyone deserves respect and should have equal opportunities and dignity. He hoped that overseas Chinese would engage more actively with and participate in Dutch society, and also hoped that Dutch society would further understand and respect the Chinese community. The Federation of Chinese Associations in the Netherlands stands ready to work with all sectors to continue promoting cultural exchanges, people-to-people contacts and friendly cooperation.

In her speech, Monique Knapen said that the Overseas Chinese Association in the Netherlands, founded in 1947, has long served overseas compatriots and inherited Chinese culture, serving as an important bridge linking the Netherlands and China. Established in 1977, the Netherlands-China Friendship Association (VNC) is committed to helping Dutch society gain a better understanding of China through events and information in science, culture, economy and other fields. She noted that Dutch society recognises the diligence and hard work of Chinese residents in the Netherlands, yet more exchanges between both sides are still needed. She looked forward to continued cooperation between VNC, Chinese associations and relevant Dutch institutions to deepen mutual understanding and friendship. Next year, the Overseas Chinese Association in the Netherlands and the Netherlands-China Friendship Association will mark their 80th and 50th founding anniversaries respectively, and she voiced her wish to celebrate together. When asked about her impression of the event, she said in Chinese: “热闹 (lively)”, adding that “Chinese people are very hospi”.

Huang Yue, Chief Commander of the event, declared the celebration open.

All guests stood up for the playing and singing of the national anthems of China and the Netherlands.

An AI-produced short film was screened at the venue, reviewing the development of China-Netherlands relations and the Dutch overseas Chinese community. The footage weaves together the history of bilateral exchanges and the struggles of generations of overseas Chinese in the Netherlands, enabling young audiences to learn about the journey of the Chinese community.

Counsellor Zhu Jiayao, Chairman Hu Guoqian, Chief Commander Huang Yue, Chairman Chen Long, Chair Monique Knapen, together with Secretary-General of the Congress Chen Haiqun and Treasurer Sun Xiefang, tly cut the cake to offer best wishes for the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

The event that evening was hosted by young Chinese descendants Pan Junjie (right in photo below) and Zhou Xuejiao (left in photo below).

The dance A Great River performed by the Dutch Little Jasmine Dance Troupe kicked off the celebration.

Artists from the Southern Song and Dance Ensemble, who were on a performance tour in the Netherlands, together with Chinese and Dutch performers from the Netherlands Huaxing Art Troupe, the Netherlands Fenghua Orchestra, the Hemiao Art Troupe of the Delft Chinese School and the Netherlands Yijia Education Centre, presented a splendid lineup of performances including Chinese and Dutch songs, bilingual duets, dances, combined Chinese and Western instrumental recitals and ballet.

The chorus performance of Red Flag Flutters, tly sung by Chinese community leaders and young Chinese descendants, brought the event to its climax. The audience waved Chinese national flags and sang along. People of different generations on stage and guests in the audience sang the same song together. Deep affection for the motherland was passed on through the singing, touching everyone present.

Celebrating China’s National Day has a long-standing tradition within the Dutch overseas Chinese community. The predecessor of the Overseas Chinese Association in the Netherlands, the Ouhai Fellow Townsmen Association, was founded on 27 November 1947. When the People’s Republic of China was founded on 1 October 1949, the association sent a congratulatory telegram to Beijing to hail the birth of New China. On 1 October 1952, the Ouhai Fellow Townsmen Association raised the Five-starred Red Flag at a gathering marking the third anniversary of the founding of New China. This was the very first time the Five-starred Red Flag was hoisted in the Netherlands, and indeed in Europe, at a time when diplomatic relations between China and the Netherlands had not yet been established. For many years, the overseas Chinese community in the Netherlands has tly organised celebrations every year for China’s National Day. As time goes by, the forms of celebration have kept evolving, yet the tradition of overseas Chinese in the Netherlands gathering to mark the anniversary has endured to this day.