The 16th SUSS Cultural China Public Lecture 第16届社科文化中华讲座

The 16th SUSS Cultural China Public Lecture, jointly organised by the Centre for Chinese Studies (CCS), Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and Lianhe Zaobao, was held on 4 October 2026 at the SPH News Centre Auditorium, attracting close to 200 members of the public.

In his welcome address, Associate Professor Foo Tee Tuan, Director of CCS, noted that the Chinese film Dear You, which generated considerable interest in Singapore in June, had brought the relatively niche subject of Qiaopi to wider public attention.   Building on this interest, the lecture sought to deepen public understanding of Qiaopi and the broader cultural phenomena surrounding it. 

Associate Professor Foo highlighted Qiaopi as an invaluable historical record of Singapore’s Chinese community, offering later generations insights into the journeys of their forebears as they migrated to Southeast Asia, established their roots and built new homes and communities.

The keynote speaker, Professor Li Minghuan, Distinguished Professor at the Academy of Overseas Chinese Studies, Jinan University, drew on 40 years of research into international migration and overseas Chinese communities. She explained that Qiaopi combines letters and remittances. Through this exchange of correspondence and financial support, Qiaopi served as an important link between southern China and Southeast Asia, while also preserving the everyday experiences and memories of early Chinese migrants.

Professor Li further discussed how the Chinese diaspora contributed to the development of Qiaoxiang (ancestral hometowns of overseas Chinese) and the evolution of overseas Chinese Culture, fostering a two-way process of cultural interaction between China and Southeast Asia.  This reciprocal exchange fostered cultural fusion within communities in both places of origin and destination, giving rise to new cultural expressions shaped by migration and mobility. 

The lecture ended with a dialogue moderated by Han Yong Hong, Associate Editor of Lianhe Zaobao, who invited Professor Li to offer further reflections on overseas Chinese culture.  The audience’s enthusiastic participation in the Q&A made for a fitting end to an engaging and thought-provoking event.

由新加坡社科大学中华学术中心与《联合早报》联办的第16届社科文化中华讲座，于2026年10月4日在报业中心礼堂举行，吸引了近200名公众参与。

中心主任符诗专副教授致欢迎辞时指出，今年6月，中国电影《给阿嫲的情书》在本地引起观影热潮，让侨批这个小众课题走进大众视野。本届讲座因此决定打铁趁热，进一步探讨侨批及相关的文化现象。他表示，侨批为新加坡华社提供了极其珍贵的历史记录，帮助后人追溯与了解先辈南来东南亚、落地生根、建立家园的轨迹。

本届讲座特邀暨南大学华侨华人研究院特聘教授李明欢担任主讲嘉宾。拥有40年国际移民和华侨华人研究经验的李教授指出，侨批以“银信合一”为显著特色。它既是早期华侨的生活记忆，也是连接中国南方与东南亚的重要媒介。因应侨批而生的是侨乡和侨文化，形成中国和东南亚的双向文化交融。这是移出地和移入地人民在跨国流动中跨境共生的结果，展现了多元流动下的文化新面貌。

在对谈环节中，担任对谈人的《联合早报》副总编辑韩咏红穿针引线，让李教授进一步与现场与会者分享她对侨文化的独到见解。观众踊跃提问，现场互动气氛热烈。

Associate Professor Foo Tee Tuan delivered the welcome address. 
符诗专副教授致欢迎辞. 

 Lianhe Zaobao Editor-in-Chief, Ang Yiting (Right)  presented a token of appreciation to Professor Li Minghuan (Left). 
联合早报总编辑洪奕婷(右) 颁发纪念品给李明欢教授（左） 

(From left to right) Dr Wu Qi (Assistant Director, CCS@SUSS), Associate Professor Foo Tee Tuan (Director, CCS@SUSS), Han Yong Hong (Associate Editor, Lianhe Zaobao), Professor Li Minghuan, Ang Yiting (Editor, LianHe Zaobao), Lee Huiling (Editor-in-Chief, SPH Chinese Media Group)
从左到右）中华学术中心助理主任武琦博士、中心主任符诗专副教授、联合早报副总编辑韩咏红 、李明欢教授、联合早报总编辑洪奕婷、联合早报华文媒体集团社长李慧玲。

Professor Li Minghuan presented on the “Qiaopi Network” to an attentive audience.
李明欢教授向专注的与会者发表关于“侨批体系” 的演讲。  

Professor Li Minghuan (left) engaged with the attendees in a warm and composed tone, while Moderator Han Yong Hong (right) listened attentively on stage.
李明欢教授(左)以温暖、沉稳的语调 答现场与会者进行交流。对谈人韩咏红（右）专注聆听。