On the evening of February 11, the 2025 Overseas Chinese Culinary & Cultural Exchange Event – Fengze Edition officially opened at Wenwu Lane Art District in Fengze, Quanzhou. Themed “Flavours of Home, A Taste of Nostalgia”, the event brought together over 130 overseas Chinese restaurants, 100 calligraphy works from across the globe, 300 creative lanterns, and more than 70 varieties of Fujian-Overseas Chinese delicacies. It offered both locals and visitors an immersive celebration of food, culture, and art.

Opening Ceremony

　　Event Highlights

　　The event featured five themed zones, each showcasing a unique facet of overseas Chinese gastronomy and cultural heritage:

　　Ties Across the Strait – A Taiwanese cuisine zone featuring authentic specialties that bring a taste of Taiwan to Quanzhou.

　　Hometown Flavours – A traditional delicacies zone with nostalgic pastries and preserved goods, evoking childhood memories.

　　Zen & Martial Spirit – A vegetarian culture zone offering Buddhist vegetarian dishes and tea, complemented by the soothing melodies of Nanyin music.

　　Wellness Cuisine – A medicinal food zone highlighting the fusion of traditional Chinese medicine and culinary wisdom for a balanced lifestyle.

　　Digital Heritage – A creative zone featuring interactive digital experiences that blend technology with Maritime Silk Road cultural elements.

A Lively Event Atmosphere

　　Building Bridges Through Culinary Heritage

　　At the opening ceremony, Chen Shihai, Party Secretary and Chairman of the Fujian Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, emphasized that "Qiao Jia Le" (Overseas Chinese Gastronomy Festival) is an innovative initiative that aligns with national and provincial development goals. He noted that the Fengze edition successfully integrates overseas Chinese cuisine with local cultural heritage, reinforcing the district’s identity and strengthening ties with overseas Chinese communities.

　　Huang Zepeng, Standing Committee Member of the Fengze District Committee and Minister of the United Front Work Department, highlighted Fengze’s commitment to leveraging its overseas Chinese resources. He described the event as a strategic platform to promote cultural tourism, boost local consumption, and showcase the rich legacy of overseas Chinese heritage.

　　Meanwhile, Chen Jihong, Chairman of the Fengze Overseas Chinese Federation, encouraged overseas Chinese communities to serve as ambassadors for Quanzhou, helping to share its stories, attract investment, and promote tourism and entrepreneurship in Fengze.

　　Fengze: A Thriving Overseas Chinese Hub

　　Fengze District is one of Fujian’s most prominent hometowns for overseas Chinese, with a population of nearly 300,000 overseas Chinese, Hong Kong and Macao compatriots, and returned overseas Chinese families. In recent years, the Fengze Overseas Chinese Federation has actively enhanced services, strengthened community networks, and championed cultural heritage initiatives. These efforts have earned it recognition as a “National Model Overseas Chinese Organization”.

　　The three-day event aims to deepen cultural connections, foster shared prosperity, and contribute to local economic and social development by celebrating the vibrant culinary and cultural traditions of the overseas Chinese community.