On September 11, the Overseas Chinese Health and Wellness Center in Quanzhou officially opened its doors, welcoming over 40 participants from nearly 30 countries and regions. This event marked a significant step in catering to the needs of the overseas Chinese community.
Among the inaugural group were prominent leaders and key figures from the Chinese communities in the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and beyond, who participated in the first session of the “Gathering Overseas Chinese, World Heritage, and Silk Road Together” training program for overseas Chinese leaders hailing from Quanzhou. They also attended the 2024 Quanzhou Overseas Community Liaison Mechanism Meeting and witnessed the launch of a judges’ workshop aimed at protecting the rights of overseas Chinese, showcasing the innovative initiatives their hometown is undertaking to support its diaspora.
Quanzhou stands out as a major hometown for overseas Chinese, with around 9.5 million residents originating from this region, dispersed across over 170 countries. This figure constitutes nearly two-thirds of all overseas Chinese from Fujian Province, emphasizing Quanzhou’s leadership among Chinese cities, earning the moniker that “nine out of ten households are overseas Chinese.” To foster belonging and satisfaction among these overseas citizens, and to capitalize on its status as a city of world heritage, the Quanzhou Overseas Chinese Federation has founded the Overseas Chinese Health and Wellness Center.
Luo Gang, chairman of the Quanzhou Taiwan Business Investment Zone’s Overseas Chinese Federation and honorary president of the Hong Kong Quanzhou Association, underscored the necessity of addressing the unique needs of overseas Chinese. “In recent years, there has been a growing interest in traditional Chinese medicine abroad, and Quanzhou is a treasure trove of TCM resources, boasting many revered physicians throughout history who are highly regarded in overseas communities,” he explained.
The newly established Overseas Chinese Health and Wellness Center brings together resources from various platforms, including Quanzhou Yihe Hospital and the Quanzhou Baxian Guohai Tourist Resort. It combines TCM-based therapies and wellness philosophies while offering a broad range of services that encompass healthcare, tourism, culture, and leisure, all designed to provide a holistic and enriching wellness experience for overseas Chinese.
Reflecting on his time there, Xu Shaotang, an executive committee member of the United Filipino Chinese Association and a participant in the inaugural group, shared, “Today’s experience truly highlighted the respect and hospitality my hometown extends to overseas Chinese. I also deepened my appreciation for the rich culture of traditional Chinese medicine. The wellness center is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and offers notably attentive and patient service.” As a tourism professional in the Philippines, he found this visit to be a significant reconnection to his roots.
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