On September 19, Jiang Lei, the president of the West Japan Hunan Chamber of Commerce, shared his aspirations for the newly formed organization during an interview in Hengyang. “Our goal in founding the chamber is to leverage our connections as overseas Chinese to build a bridge between Hunan and Japan, facilitating trade, visits, and cultural tourism,” he stated. Although he has spent considerable time in Japan, the cherished memories and allure of his hometown in Hunan remain very dear to him.
Recently, Jiang was welcomed back to China to take part in the Third Hunan Tourism Development Conference and participated in an exclusive interview with our reporter.
Born in 1987, Jiang has ventured into various careers since graduating from university. In 2016, he launched a live-streaming company in Hengyang, one of the first in the local market. However, despite a promising start, the business faced severe setbacks due to the pandemic, leading him to seek new opportunities in Japan.
“In 2022, many Hunan businesses in Japan struggled to find growth opportunities, which sparked the idea of forming the Hunan Chamber of Commerce. They wanted to ‘stick together for warmth’ during challenging times,” Jiang explained. Realizing the need for such an organization, he reached out to fellow Hunan natives in Japan and began the groundwork for establishing the chamber.
On July 21, 2022, the West Japan Hunan Chamber of Commerce was founded in Osaka, with Jiang elected as its first president. The chamber mainly consists of overseas Chinese from Hunan and aims to promote Hunan culture while enhancing economic and cultural exchanges between China and Japan.
“There was a lack of communication and connection platforms in the West Japan region, which is home to several sister cities of Hunan. The chamber helps to fill that void,” he noted. Over the past two years, it has played a pivotal role in fostering friendly exchanges, facilitating investment visits, and participating in exhibitions.
In March 2023, the chamber led a delegation to Hengyang, where they established a partnership with the Leiyang International Chamber of Commerce and signed strategic cooperation agreements with two companies, Xunlin Apparel and Jindai Technology, allowing Xunlin’s products to enter the Japanese market. “With the 2025 World Expo coming to Osaka, the chamber is committed to providing more support for local businesses and products to showcase themselves,” Jiang added.
Jiang’s charitable spirit is a defining trait of his personality. He received recognition as a “philanthropy enthusiast” after witnessing the struggles of impoverished families during geological exploration work in Guizhou in 2010. He used his personal funds to support the education of two left-behind children, and eight years later, he felt heartfelt gratitude from one of them.
“That ‘thank you’ made me realize the significance of small acts of kindness,” he reflected. “Love comes in all forms, and spreading positive energy requires continuous public service. There are things that need to be done, and I aspire to be among those who do them.” Throughout the years, Jiang has actively dispensed warmth and kindness through various initiatives. While managing his live-streaming venture, he participated in local poverty alleviation programs, hosting charitable streaming sessions and providing one-on-one coaching to help others enhance their job or entrepreneurial skills.
One particularly memorable experience for Jiang occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when he successfully collected over 3,000 medical-grade N95 masks in Japan and sent them to Wuhan. Receiving a commemorative medal and a letter of appreciation from a temporary hospital in Wuhan filled him with pride. “It felt rewarding to contribute to my country and hometown in any way I could,” he shared.
Despite his increasingly busy schedule and frequent travel, Jiang makes it a priority to visit the students he supports whenever he returns to his hometown. “One of the children I’ve helped has become very cheerful and is thriving in school,” he said. He believes that philanthropic efforts require persistence and may not always shine brightly like a spotlight, but they can still offer a flicker of hope to those in need.
Jiang stays closely connected to his hometown, often organizing trips for discussions and collaborations. “Over the years, I’ve seen Hunan becoming more open and its business environment improving. The government’s careful approach to attracting investments and efficient services through e-government systems have earned accolades from many investors,” he observed.
As he looks forward to the upcoming Third Hunan Tourism Development Conference, Jiang is filled with anticipation. “This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Hengyang’s image and promote its cultural tourism resources,” he stated.
“Hengyang boasts several renowned cultural landmarks, such as Mount Heng and the Chuan Mountain culture, which deserve further exploration and marketing,” he urged. Having traveled to beautiful places around the globe, Jiang perceives Hengyang as a harmonious blend of cultural richness and modern vibrancy, especially with its unique Hunan cuisine.
Reflecting on the vibrant culinary streets of Shifu Road, he appreciates the government’s efforts to intertwine historical elements with contemporary trends, transforming the area into a lively cultural hub.
“I want to share the beauty of Hengyang with a wider audience, especially my friends abroad,” Jiang emphasized. He believes that strengthening connections with overseas travel agencies could help draw more international visitors to explore the unique charm of Hengyang.
