SCCC president appointed as senior expert
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah China Chamber of Commerce (SCCC) President Datuk Frankie Liew was one of the 300 overseas Chinese leaders from around the world invited to attend the Second Huigong Cultural International Forum at the National Convention Center in Beijing on April 26.
With the theme of “Promoting the Spirit of Huigong, Strengthening Cultural Confidence; Joining Hands with Descendants of the Zhang Family to Contribute to National Revival,” the conference invited national leaders, leaders of ministries and commissions, experts and scholars, traditional cultural researchers from provinces and cities across China, and overseas Chinese leaders.
Frankie was appointed as a senior expert by the China Huaxia Culture Promotion Association, being one of the 25 delegates appointed among the global guests that evening.
He expressed his great honor as an overseas Chinese to participate in the Second Huigong Cultural International Forum and the Eighth Triennial Council of the World Zhang Clan Association, and to gather with 300 overseas Chinese leaders from around the world, considering it as a very rare learning opportunity.
“Although the surname is Huigong, it originates from the bloodline of the Yellow Emperor, so the spirit of Huigong can be said to be a common value and heritage of all Chinese people,” he said.
Datuk Lau Soon Thye emphasised that since the ‘Peach Garden Oath’ was sworn by Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei during the Three Kingdoms period, it symbolizes the bond of brotherhood despite different surnames. They fought bravely for common ideals and goals for their homeland, displaying the noble Chinese culture and sentiments.
“From Huigong to Zhang Fei, and to the present society, we should all learn to be loyal to our country, respectful to our elders, brave against challenges and enemies, and embrace the spirit of innovation for the future. This is the key spirit that keeps the Chinese people thriving for generations.”
Frankie stressed that understanding Huigong culture and assisting in promoting the spirit of Huigong is a significant practical activity to promote traditional Chinese culture.
He believes that every Chinese descendant, regardless of origin or surname, should learn more and consider promoting their own cultural and spiritual values as their responsibility.
Also attending the event were SCCC Deputy President Brett Chua and committee member Ling Hang Tze.
Huigong is the progenitor of the Zhang surname and also the grandson of the Yellow Emperor.
‘Shiben’ (compiled and supplemented by Qin Jiamu) records: “The Zhang family, the fifth son of the Yellow Emperor, Huigong was born in Qingyang, he was an archer, observed the constellation Bow, began to make bows and arrows, and worshipped the Bow constellation, thus the surname became Zhang.”
Huigong became famous for inventing the bow and arrow. The surname Zhang can be broken down into the characters “bow” and “long,” initially associated with martial skills.
Today, people summarise the ‘Spirit of Huigong’ as “innovation, responsibility, collaboration, loyalty and filial piety.”
The three-day forum from April 24 to 26, consisted of various parts including a welcome ceremony, thematic investigations, parallel sessions, etc., covering a wide range of topics and highly favored by attending representatives.
They expressed that the history of surnames distinguishes China from other countries, highlighting its unique national characteristics. All Chinese surnames should inherit their ancestral virtues and teachings, establish a “root ancestor belief ” system with Chinese characteristics and imbued with elements of Chinese culture and national spirit. This is not only the best way to address the issue of national faith but also an important means to enhance national cohesion and centripetal force.
The forum released the ‘Great Wall Declaration’ with the theme of ‘Upholding National Unity and Opposing Ethnic Separatism’, aiming to promote peace and unity through civil diplomacy and spread the voice of China while strengthening cultural confidence.
Zhang Baoxin, President of the World Zhang Clan Association, expressed that five years ago, the first Huigong Cultural International Forum was held in Beijing. Five years later, Zhang clan members from home and abroad gathered once again with the enthusiasm of seeking roots and ancestry, hoping that everyone could have patriotism, broad-mindedness, and entrepreneurial spirit, and not forget the earnest teachings of the sage Zhang Zai to “establishing the heart for heaven and earth, dedicating life for the people, inheriting the learning from past sages, and bringing peace for all generations.”
Zhang Jianguo, President of the Puyang Huaxia Zhang Clan Cultural Research Association, stated that Puyang, formerly known as Diqiu, is the hometown of Huigong, where the progenitor Huigong was born and buried. Every year, Puyang holds the Zhang Clan Cultural Festival and the Chinese Zhang Clan Ancestral Worship Ceremony, sincerely inviting everyone to participate in the ancestral worship activities and experience the Huigong culture.
“Family name culture is an important part of Chinese culture.”
Zheng Xinli, former Deputy Director of the Central Policy Research Office, introduced that Zhang Heng, Zhang Zhong jing and Zhang Kan, the three heroes of the Zhang clan, were born in his hometown of Nanyang, Henan, leaving behind a precious wealth of Zhang clan culture for future generations.
During the forum, experts and scholars discussed traditional virtues, ancestral culture, historical context, family traditions and genealogy around the spirit of Huigong. They stated that the spirit of innovation, collaboration, responsibility, and loyalty and filial piety embodied by Huigong are not only the core of Zhang clan culture but also an important part of the spirit of the Chinese nation.
At the forum, Zhang Hai, Honorary Chairman of the Chinese Calligraphers Association, wrote three logos: ‘The Second Huigong Cultural International Forum’, ‘Huigong Cultural Night’, and ‘Zhang Clan Night’.
China Post officially issued the first-day cover of the Second Huigong Cultural International Forum.
In 2019, the First Huigong Cultural Forum was held at the National Convention Center. The forum has always been committed to becoming an “International Cultural and Trade Conference based in China and facing the world.” In the future, the Huigong Cultural International Forum will be successively held in various countries around the world.
In 2025, the Third Huigong Cultural International Forum will be held in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.
It is reported that the forum was hosted by the China Huaxia Culture Promotion Association, organized by the Beijing Zhang Huigong Cultural Development Center, and planned by the Beijing Huaxia National Research Advisory Center, receiving congratulatory letters from more than 30 countries and regions.