In a recent interview with China News Service, Lin Haiyan, a fourth-generation Chinese descendant in Mauritius and the president of the Chinatown Foundation, expressed his immense pride in the accomplishments of New China over the past 75 years. “We overseas Chinese feel proud and honored,” he remarked.
Lin reflected on a significant moment in his family’s history: On October 1, 1949, the day New China was founded, his grandfather, Lin Wenxuan, bravely raised the first five-star red flag in the Chinatown of Mauritius. “Back then, my grandfather risked imprisonment to celebrate the birth of new China,” he recalled.
The Lin family has deep roots in Mauritius that trace back to the late 19th century when Lin Haiyan’s great-grandfather, Lin Xingci, emigrated from Meizhou, Guangdong, in search of a better life. Today, with nearly 130 years in Mauritius, the Lin lineage continues through Lin Haiyan and his family.
Lin Haiyan remarked that his great-grandfather instilled a strong sense of hometown pride within the family, frequently reminding them to cherish their roots. “He taught us patriotism and love for our homeland through his actions and words. My grandfather reinforced this by ensuring we spoke Chinese at home, ate with chopsticks, celebrated traditional Chinese festivals, and attended Chinese-language schools.”
Born in Mauritius in 1978, Lin pursued higher education in France after high school. After earning a master’s degree, he quickly found a position at the largest Chinese company in Mauritius. However, his father, Lin Zuihong, encouraged him to reconnect with his heritage by learning Chinese and experiencing Chinese culture firsthand.
At 25, Lin Haiyan traveled to Shanghai to study at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics. He discovered that the city was not the underdeveloped place he had imagined. “After living there for a while, my perception of China completely changed,” he noted.
Having spent years studying Chinese, starting a business, and pursuing a Ph.D. in China, Lin stated, “Having lived and worked in China for many years, I have adapted to the Chinese way of life and thinking.”
Upon returning to Mauritius in 2017, Lin was disheartened by the condition of Chinatown. “It was in disrepair, with broken buildings, outdated facilities, and litter everywhere. Some even called it a ‘ghost town.’ In my memories, Chinatown was vibrant and bustling,” he reminisced, recalling how it was a hotspot for celebrities and entertainment in the 1980s and 1990s.
Determined to breathe new life into Chinatown, Lin decided to leverage the knowledge he gained in China. He founded the Chinatown Foundation and developed a three-step plan: first, to change the dilapidated image and restore confidence; second, to boost the economy and turn it into a tourist destination; and third, to improve urban planning and develop real estate.
After several years, the revitalization project has yielded promising results. “Chinatown is now full of shops and bustling with visitors, evolving into an iconic tourist attraction in Mauritius. Foreign visitors have developed a greater appreciation for Chinatown and the Chinese community,” Lin reported.
To draw more visitors, he and the Chinatown Foundation have organized over 500 cultural events in the past six years to promote Chinatown culture among locals and tourists. A recent Mid-Autumn Festival performance celebrating the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China drew enthusiastic crowds. The event featured Shaolin monks, Guangdong opera, fashion shows, and stunning Sichuan opera face-changing performances that captivated audiences with their vibrant costumes and outstanding artistry.
Lin believes that hosting such events not only helps the local Mauritian community gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture but also promotes cultural exchanges among different ethnic groups and enhances the confidence of overseas Chinese in their cultural heritage.
He also emphasized his commitment to visiting China every few months and encouraging young people in Mauritius to explore the country and make connections there. “China is an ideal land for youth; if you have dreams, you should take the plunge,” he concluded.
