Warm Hearts Dispel Wintry Weather at CPFWP Inauguration in Seoul
On December 21, 2019, the Chinese People’s Federation for World Peace was inaugurated in Seoul, Korea, with a special luncheon program. The event was held in conjunction with the opening ceremony of the Chinese Hyojeong Culture Center, located in the Yeongdeungpo district of Seoul.
Ms. Sui Lijing, president of CPFWP Korea, gave the welcoming remarks and honored the elders among the guests by inviting them to join her in cutting a giant oblong rice cake. Congratulatory remarks were offered by Ms. Li Ying Shu, president of the Multicultural Women’s Association of Yeongdeungpo, and by Rev. Joo Jin-tae, regional representative of FFWPU. Both voiced their encouragement and best wishes to CPFWP, and promised to work together with the organization to promote family values and to serve the Chinese community.
Prof. Thomas Hwang, international president of CPFWP, further outlined the purpose and goals of the organization and some of its international activities. Mr. Lee Ker-shung, president for Asia-Pacific, detailed recent events in that region, and Ms. Eve Lau gave a report on the annual filial piety essay competition and awards ceremony for middle and high school students in Hong Kong.
Mr. Park Joong-hyun, former chairman of the Korea Interfaith Association, also gave a fascinating speech about the shared cultural history of China and Korea, explaining the two countries’ common Confucian values and traditions.
A delicious multicourse meal was enjoyed by all, catered by a local Chinese restaurant. To conclude the program, a group of students from mainland China, Taiwan and Malaysia gave a lively rendition of Chinese and Korean songs with dance accompaniment. All of them are studying at universities in Korea.
There are approximately 700,000 Chinese nationals living in Korea. The Chinese Hyojeong Culture Center will serve as a community center primarily for the Chinese community in Seoul, with programs and activities promoting traditional family values, especially heart-centered filial piety (hyojeong in Korean, xiaoqing in Chinese). It will also hold seminars and lecture programs for anyone with an interest in China.