On April 11, 2026, 46 descendants of Wang Shujin (Ong Seok Kim) arrived at
Xiamen Airport, Fujian Province having travelled from Malaysia, Singapore,
Australia, Canada, and Ireland. Upon arrival, the group travelled to Yongchun to
check into their hotel. After dinner, the group took a sentimental stroll through Wuli
Street, the very place where Wang Shujin worked before his historic voyage to
Malaya over a century ago.
A Grand Reunion at the Ancestral Home
The following morning, the group visited the ancestral residence built by Wang
Shujin in the early 20th century. Recently renovated, the home stands as a vibrant
testament to the family's history, featuring traditional red bricks, dark grey tiles, and
intricate carvings of dragons and phoenixes on the roof and walls.
The gathering grew to 130 people as the overseas descendants were joined by
relatives from Dehua and Sanming. The atmosphere was one of warmth and
harmony as generations of the extended family greeted one another, many for the
first time.
Retracing Heritage Across Fujian
Between April 13 to 19, the overseas descendants, accompanied by their Chinese relatives, embarked on a cultural tour through Fujian Province:
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Quanzhou: The group explored the city’s modern architecture and deep
cultural heritage. At the Three Wangs Ancestral Temple, they paid their
respects while observing Wang Shujin’s family motto and biography.
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Gulangyu, Xiamen: The family experienced the "International Settlement"
splendor, characterized by its unique fusion of Chinese and Western
architecture.
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Sanfang Qixiang, Fuzhou: Walking the bluestone streets of the "Three Lanes
and Seven Alleys," they listened to the historic legacies of Lin Zexu and Yan
Fu.
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Yongding: Beneath the ancient city walls, the descendants traced the
footsteps and traditions of the Hakka people and their amazing common
residence, the Tulou.
A Lasting Legacy
What began as a journey for 46 travellers culminated in a reunion of 130 family
members. More than just a vacation, this was a cultural pilgrimage spanning over a
century.
This journey to find their roots has planted a lasting seed in the hearts of the
descendants: no matter how far across the globe they may scatter, their heritage
remains rooted in Yongchun, Fujian. For the descendants of Wang Shujin, the doors
to their ancestral home will always remain open.
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Report by Wang YuFeng
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Translation into English and Editing, and Post-Processing of Photos by Ong Eng Joo
