On October 19th, a ceremony was held to commemorate the completion of the restoration and interior revival of the former residence of Mr. Chen Jiageng in Xiamen.
Among the attendees were Lin Zhaoshu, former chairman of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, Chen Liren, representing Mr. Chen Jiageng’s descendants, and Chen Xifu, representing the families of Chen Wenque and Chen Liushi. Ren Jingbo, the honorary chairman of the Jimei Alumni Association, was also present at the ceremony. Together, Lin Zhaoshu and Chen Liren unveiled the plaque for the “Former Residence of Mr. Chen Jiageng.”
The event was attended by approximately 70 participants, including Zhao Mingguang, president of the Thailand Alumni Association of Jimei School; Zhuang Yijing, director and secretary-general of the Malaysian Chen Jiageng Foundation; officials from Xiamen and Jimei District; representatives from institutions established by Mr. Chen Jiageng; and faculty and students from Jimei School.
In his speech, Chen Liren expressed that the residence serves as a testament to Mr. Chen Jiageng’s life of “hard work, frugality, and generosity for the nation.” He emphasized the values of patriotism, unity, dedication, and innovation that Mr. Chen embodied. Liren fervently hopes that the spirit of his great-grandfather—characterized by resilience, a focus on national and ethnic priorities, and a genuine commitment to education—will continue to be passed down and embraced, inspiring more people to strive for the realization of the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.
Located in Jimei District of Xiamen, the former residence was where Mr. Chen Jiageng and his family lived and worked upon their return to China. The building was severely damaged in April 1939 during an air raid but was later restored. In 1950, Mr. Chen returned to settle in Jimei and prioritized public interests, restoring his personal residence only after the school facilities were completed, allowing him to work and live there until his later years.
Following a comprehensive restoration in 1980, the residence was officially established as the “Former Residence of Mr. Chen Jiageng” and opened a museum showcasing his life. In 2022, the Jimei School Committee launched a digitization project to revive the residence.
This year marks the 150th anniversary of Mr. Chen Jiageng’s birth. The Jimei School Committee began the restoration and interior revival work in May, focusing on preserving the building while recreating the indoor environment as it was in 1958 when Mr. Chen lived there. The restored residence is scheduled to open to the public tomorrow.
