LATEST NEWS:

Toh Yong Chuan

The Straits Times

Publication Date : 25-11-2012

More than 4,000 Hokkiens descended on Marina Bay in Singpaore yesterday, as the 7th World Fujian Convention kicked into full gear.

Half of the delegates were from other parts of Asia, North America, Europe and Africa, making the event the largest international gathering of the Chinese ethnic group.

The convention, held every three years since 1994 for Fujian emigrants and their descendants to network, is being held here for the first time.

In Singapore, Hokkien generally refers to a dialect group, but Fujian province in China encompasses a broad geographical area, which includes people of other dialect groups, such as Fuchow.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said Singapore - which counts Hokkien as the largest Chinese dialect group - has benefited from the strong Fujian presence here.

Speaking in Mandarin at the opening of the convention at Marina Bay Sands, Teo held up Singapore pioneers Tan Kah Kee and Tan Tock Seng as examples of early immigrants from Fujian who made an impact here.

"The strong community spirit lives on today, thanks to the good work of the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan," he added.

Teo said at the start of his speech that he has a "special affection" for the Fujian people because his mother and wife are Hokkien, drawing loud applause from the audience.

There are about 12 million people of Fujian descent outside China, said Wang Meng Hui, vice- governor of the province and the highest-ranking Chinese official attending the event, held in conjunction with the 4th Singapore Hokkien Festival.

Both events are organised by the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan, the clan association which represents the largest dialect group here. Hokkiens make up 40 per cent of the 2.79 million Chinese Singaporeans, according to the 2010 census.

The clan association had raised $2 million to cover the cost of the convention.

Clan association president Chua Thian Poh yesterday said it has added new programmes to the World Fujian Convention so that it is more than just a social gathering.

For instance, it staged a large- scale musical based on a Chinese legend, with music composed by Cultural Medallion recipient Iskandar Ismail.

It has also published a book, Prominent Figures Of The World Fujian Communities - The Singapore Chapter, which was launched by President Tony Tan Keng Yam last night.

The book records stories of 155 famous Fujian people who lived in Singapore. They included pioneers Tan Kah Kee, Tan Tock Seng and Lim Boon Keng, Nantah founder Tan Lark Sye, former presidents Wee Kim Wee and Ong Teng Cheong, former deputy prime ministers Goh Keng Swee and Toh Chin Chye, and pioneer artist Liu Kang.

At the launch, Dr Tan described the book as a compass that guides the values of younger Singaporeans and inspires them to appreciate the past and contribute to society.

Chua also urged the overseas participants to write their own chapters in future conventions so that the book can become a complete collection of the contributions of the Fujian people.

He also suggested discussing the possibility of setting up an international secretariat to help Fujian clan associations maintain ties.

But delegate Li Xinzhu, permanent honourary president of the Southern Africa Fujian Overseas Chinese Association, told The Sunday Times: "The overseas liaison office of the Fujian provincial government is already keeping in touch with Fujian people outside China."

The convention ends today with an economic forum and a street parade in Telok Ayer Street, which is the traditional enclave of the Hokkien community here.

The next meeting is set to be held in Nanping city, Fujian province, in 2015.