Date: 8 to 10 December 2024
3 Days of cultural exchange
Venue: Jakarta
GSS at the 11th Southeast Asia + China Chinese Clans Friendship Conference
A Warm Invitation and Distinguished Representation
Genealogy Society Singapore (GSS) received a heartfelt invitation from the ASEAN Chinese Clans Association (ACCA) 東南亞華人各姓氏宗親聯誼會 to participate in the 11th Southeast Asia + China Chinese Clans Friendship Conference 第十一届東南亞+中國各姓氏聯誼大會. This prestigious gathering, held in Jakarta from December 8 to 10, 2024, united surname associations from ASEAN and China for three days of cultural exchange, networking, and collaborative dialogue. Representing GSS at this significant event was Genealogy Adviser Nathan Co.
ACCA Empowering the World
The opening night’s welcome dinner set the stage with cultural performances, inspiring speeches, and an impressive array of cuisines. The evening also featured a focused ACCA delegates meeting, where plans for the 2025 conference—set to be hosted in Cambodia—were discussed. Nathan Co actively participated, reconnecting with delegates from previous events and fostering new connections.
The opening night’s welcome dinner set the stage with cultural performances, inspiring speeches, and an impressive array of cuisines. The evening also featured a focused ACCA delegates meeting, where plans for the 2025 conference—set to be hosted in Cambodia—were discussed. Nathan Co actively participated, reconnecting with delegates from previous events and fostering new connections.
The conference officially opened on December 9th with vibrant ceremonies that celebrated the shared cultural heritage of participating clans. The day’s highlight was the 3rd International Youth Forum, an event dedicated to empowering younger delegates to explore their heritage and forge meaningful collaborations.
Nathan Co delivered an impactful speech during the forum, calling for collective action to reconnect individuals with their ancestral roots and emphasizing the importance of extending GSS’s mission beyond the forum’s walls. His message resonated deeply with attendees, embodying the conference’s spirit of cultural unity.
To view Nathan Co’s speech and related event highlights, visit:
On December 10th, the final day of the conference, delegates participated in a symbolic tree-planting ceremony at Taman Budaya Tionghoa Indonesia, a cultural park dedicated to preserving Chinese heritage within Taman Mini Indonesia Indah. The park’s stunning features—traditional Chinese pavilions, intricate gardens, and exhibits showcasing Chinese Indonesians’ contributions—offered a vivid glimpse into the region’s rich cultural legacy.
Delegates also toured mini-museums within the park, exploring the enduring influence of Chinese immigrants on Indonesia’s history, art, and culture.
The conference concluded with a grand closing dinner, filled with camaraderie, lively performances, and expressions of gratitude from the organizers. Delegates were thanked for their contributions to the event’s success, leaving with a renewed commitment to fostering future collaborations and preserving their shared heritage.
GSS’ participation at this landmark conference underscored the society’s dedication to cultural preservation and cross-border collaboration. By strengthening ties with fellow associations, championing the importance of reconnecting with ancestral roots, and inspiring the next generation, this event proved to be a resounding success for GSS and the broader ACCA community.
Organizations Invited and Joined the Conference (aside from GSS)
Indonesia
- The Federation of Indonesian Chinese Surnames Association 印華百家姓協會總
- President: Mr. Chen Rongguang (主席 陳榮光先生)
Cambodia
- President of the Cambodia Chinese Chamber of Commerce 柬埔寨王國柬華理事總會
- Lord Fang Cancheng (團長 方燦成勳爵)
China
- Chinese Embassy in Indonesia 中國駐印尼大使館
- Counselor Wang Siping of the(王思平宗長)
- Fujian Kai Zhang Sheng Wang Ancestral Temple 中國福建開漳聖王祖廟
- Zhao Yuanling 趙苑玲女士
- Chaoshan Chinese Surname Clan Association 中國潮汕各姓氏宗親會聯誼會
- Mr. Hu Shengcheng (主席 胡盛澄先生)
- Henan Provincial Surname Culture Research Association 中國河南省姓氏文化研究會
- Ms. Lin Jian (團長 林堅女士)
Malaysia
- The Federation of Chinese Surnames Associations in Malaysia (Penang State Committee)
- Chairman: Mr. Ho Swee Chun (馬來西亞檳州各姓氏宗祠聯委會主席 何瑞春先生)
- Federation of Chinese Surnames Associations in Malaysia 馬來西亞華人姓氏總會聯合會
- Vice President Mr. Ma Baode (副總會長 馬寶德團長)
Thailand
- The United Chinese Clans Association of Thailand 泰華各姓宗親總會聯合會
- President: Dr. Huang Hanliang (主席 黃漢良博士)