Kudos from home, abroad for Rong Hong museum

News that the Zhuhai Overseas Study Museum is under construction in Nanping Town and is expected to open in 2020 was presented to a grateful international audience in Tianjin on Aug 26.

International and domestic experts and scholars reacted favorably to the announcement at the 2nd International Symposium on Overseas Chinese Students & Sino-Foreign Culture. Dozens of symposium attendees said they supported establishment of the first-of-its-kind museum in China showcasing the evolution of overseas study.

Many of them came from colleges, universities, and scientific research institutions in the United States, Japan, the Chinese mainland, and Hong Kong.

Construction commenced this year at Zhenxian School, which was founded by Rong Hong (Yung Wing), the forefather of overseas study. With a 30,000-sq-m exhibition hall, the first phase will have seven pavilions with displays about Rong. Highlighted will be studying in Europe, the United States, Soviet Union, and Japan. Another two halls will be built to focus on today's overseas study and reviews.

Rendering of Zhuhai Overseas Study Museum [Photo courtesy dc-zt.com]

Situated between Citic Mangrove Bay and Huafa Century City, the site is near the Qianshan River and 1 km from Rong's former residence in Nanping Town of what is now Nanwan Area.

Rong went abroad in 1847. He was the first Chinese student to receive a degree from an American university (Yale College in 1854). Then, in August 1872, the Qing government sponsored 30 boys to study abroad. Between then and 1881, Rong organized the Chinese Educational Mission (CEM) that sent 120 youngsters to study in the US northeast. Many returned to China to make significant contributions to their homeland.

The institution is said to be the beginning of an activity and education movement at the cradle of Chinese overseas study culture -- Zhuhai. Furthermore, it promises to promote patriotism by displaying the experiences of Chinese overseas students who started businesses after returning home.

The non-state-owned museum was initiated and is being constructed by Zhuhai DCZT Cultural & Creative Industry Park and Poly Culture Group Corp.