To cultivate a deep sense of patriotism among overseas Chinese and promote the deep integration of Party building with educational work, on June 10, 2026, the Faculty Party Branch of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, together with the Party Branch of the Key Laboratory of Intelligent Manufacturing Technology of the Ministry of Education, jointly organized a themed Party Day activity titled "A Short Letter, A Lasting Memory of Qiaopi; Shared Roots, Nurturing a New Generation." The activity combined film viewing and sharing with character interviews to explore the emotional bonds embedded in the bloodlines of overseas Chinese, guiding Party members to draw spiritual strength from the century-old history of overseas Chinese and translate cultural insights into concrete actions for fulfilling the fundamental task of fostering virtue and nurturing talent.

Part 01: Forging the Soul Through Film — Deciphering the Cultural Code from the Stories of Qiaopi

In the preliminary phase of the activity, the Party branch organized all Party members to watch the Chaozhou-Shantou dialect film Love Letter to Grandma. Centered on the "World Memory Heritage" Qiaopi (overseas Chinese remittance letters), the film tells the moving story of Zheng Mushan, a young man from the Chaoshan region who seeks his livelihood in Southeast Asia, and Xie Nanzhi, a woman who writes Qiaopi on his behalf for eighteen years. The film vividly interprets the history of overseas Chinese struggle, their ethical commitment to family bonds, and their deep patriotism. During the screening, Party members paid special attention to the credit system reflected in the Qiaopi and the sense of responsibility demonstrated by overseas Chinese during the Anti-Japanese War, taking notes on their reflections based on their own teaching experiences to prepare for the subsequent discussion.

"There is no deliberate preaching, yet it is fulfilled through a lifetime of action; example is better than precept." In the group discussion, Party members engaged in heated dialogue around the educational themes in the film: Zheng Mushan's gentle care for a child while riding in a carriage, the heartfelt concern for his family and country conveyed in his letters, and his courageous act of sacrificing himself to save others in times of danger — all serving as "visible rays of light" that left a lasting impression on those he helped, ultimately leading to the continuation of his kindness through the donation of a secondary school. All agreed that Qiaopi is not merely a material carrier that combines remittance with correspondence, but also a spiritual bond connecting compatriots at home and abroad and transmitting the essence of Chinese culture.

Part 02: Inspired by Role Models — Feeling the Depth of Bloodline Affection Through Root-Seeking Stories

During the seminar, Zhang Jiayang, the discipline inspection committee member of the Party branch, shared the true story of "Sister Fen," an overseas Chinese from Vietnam. With the help of the Shantou-based charity "Sanyuan Canteen," Sister Fen, who had long volunteered to teach the Chaozhou dialect, finally fulfilled her family's 76-year dream of tracing their roots—a quest spanning three generations. In the video, Sister Fen emotionally recounted her dedication to teaching the Chaozhou dialect and guiding her descendants in tracing their cultural origins, profoundly impressing the Party members present with her unwavering commitment that "geographical distance cannot sever bloodlines, and passports cannot change one's identity," as well as her deep attachment to a shared cultural heritage.

Part 03: Exchanging Ideas — Anchoring Action Directions Through the Mission of Education

During the interactive discussion, Party members were deeply moved and actively shared their thoughts based on the film and Sister Fen's story. Though different in form, Zheng Mushan's educational wisdom of "example over precept" and Sister Fen's persistent pursuit of her roots across mountains and seas both embody the same patriotic sentiment of overseas Chinese who "hold their homeland dear in their hearts." The short letters of Qiaopi, though brief in words, carry unbreakable family bonds and strengthen the cultural foundation of shared roots.

Professor Ling Siying, Secretary of the Party Branch, emphasized in his concluding remarks that as educators in a region known as the homeland of overseas Chinese, all Party members should not only serve as "witnesses" to Qiaopi culture but also as "inheritors" of the Chinese cultural heritage. He called on everyone to translate the insights gained from this activity into tangible educational outcomes: first, to deeply explore resources and transform Qiaopi—a "world-class memory heritage"—into accessible teaching materials, promoting the integration of intangible cultural heritage into the campus; second, to reflect on teaching practices, draw inspiration from the integrity and sense of responsibility demonstrated by the characters in the film who "uphold morality without written contracts," move beyond a purely "score-oriented" approach, and focus on cultivating a new generation of talents who are "compassionate, principled, rooted in their heritage, and spiritually grounded."

This themed Party Day activity, with Qiaopi culture as a spiritual bond, allowed Party members to draw strength and inspiration from reflecting on the history of overseas Chinese. Party members will consciously carry forward the spirit of Qiaopi, safeguard the common spiritual home of the Chinese nation, and devote themselves with even greater passion to teaching and research, contributing to the cultivation of a new generation capable of shouldering the great responsibility of national rejuvenation.

Text by: Zhu Weiwei