Fujian Province, China — Leaders from Ateneo de Naga University, led by University President Fr. Aristotle C. Dy, SJ, undertook a multi-day visit to Quanzhou and Xiamen in Fujian Province, China last April 2026. The itinerary included cultural visits, institutional meetings, and shared activities with partner universities, offering a closer look at the ties between China and the Philippines.
The visit began in Wudian City in Jinjiang. The delegation walked through streets lined with preserved Minnan red-brick houses, many of which have been restored and converted into small shops, cafés, and cultural spaces. The area showed how heritage can remain part of everyday life. From there, the group proceeded to the Holy Family Catholic Church in Quanzhou, where they spent time in quiet reflection and encountered the Catholic community within a different cultural setting.
The second day featured key historical sites in Quanzhou. At the Fujian–Taiwan Links Museum, the group viewed exhibits on migration, family ties, and shared traditions across regions. The visit continued at Kaiyuan Temple, where the group explored temple grounds that have stood for centuries.
Later in the day, they walked along Tumen Street and Zhongshan Road. Along these streets, mosques, temples, and shops stood side by side, giving a clear picture of how different cultures and beliefs have coexisted in the city over several centuries. Quanzhou was known as Zaytun in older manuscripts, and Chuan Chiu in the Hokkien dialect.
On the third day, the delegation joined the Opening Ceremony of the Exchange Activity between Quanzhou Normal University (QNU) and ADNU. ADNU leaders and student delegates gathered with their counterparts from QNU in a formal program that marked the start of the students’ study trip. Representing the student delegation, Mr. Kirk Ustaris, a Junior High School student, shared his excitement about the program. He spoke about his eagerness to bring home what he would learn from the experience and share it with his classmates. He also expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to represent ADNU and the Philippines through cultural exchange and academic engagement. This marked the first time that a JHS group joined the student delegation, while the Senior High School (SHS) group participated in the program for the second time
At the program, Fr. Dy offered brief remarks about the importance of learning across cultures and building relationships that extend beyond the classroom. He also highlighted how programs like this continue to enrich the relationship between China and the Philippines through cultural and educational exchanges.
After the ceremony, Fr. Dy, together with Dr. Digna Alba, Vice President for Higher Education; Dr. Janet Badong-Badilla, Executive Director of the Office of Mission and Identity; Dr. Margarita Fajardo, Dean of Research and Creative Endeavors; and Dr. Marshal Murillo, Director of the Global Engagement Office, met with the top leadership of QNU, led by its President Chen Changping. Over lunch, both sides discussed further collaborations, exchange programs, and ways to sustain the partnership between the two institutions.
While the lunch meeting took place, other members of the ADNU delegation joined QNU representatives and the ADNU JHS and SHS students for a campus tour. One of the highlights was the visit to the College of Transportation and Navigation, where the group explored the Ancient Ship Museum. The delegation also tried a 360-degree simulation that showed how ships are operated at sea, giving them a hands-on experience of maritime navigation. The group then visited the Silk Road Language and Culture Research Center, where they learned about the languages, cultures, and history of regions connected by the Maritime Silk Road.
The afternoon continued at the Quanzhou Maritime Museum, where the exhibits traced the city’s long history as a trading port. Maps, models, and artifacts showed how Quanzhou once connected China to Southeast Asia and other parts of the world.
On the fourth day, the delegation traveled to Xiamen, where the itinerary opened with a visit to the Overseas Chinese Museum. Inside the museum, the group encountered detailed exhibits on the journeys of Chinese communities across the world, particularly in Southeast Asia. Photographs, personal artifacts, and historical accounts told stories of migration, trade, and settlement, with several features on the Philippines. Many of these narratives felt familiar, especially in the Philippine context, where Chinese-Filipino communities have long been part of local history and everyday life. The exhibits gave a more concrete sense of how families moved, adapted, and contributed to the societies they became part of.
The visit to the Xiamen Catholic Cathedral offered a pause from the historical displays. The group spent time in quiet reflection inside the church, taking in its structure and atmosphere.
The afternoon was spent in Gulangyu Island, where the delegation explored streets lined with preserved houses and buildings that reflect a mix of architectural influences. Walking through the island, they saw structures that carried European colonial and traditional Chinese elements, all within the same space.
Narrow streets, old villas, and carefully maintained facades created a distinct sense of place. The island revealed layers of history shaped by trade, foreign presence, and local adaptation. Each turn offered something new to notice—from the details of the buildings to the overall character of the community—making the visit both visually engaging and historically rich.
Over four days, the visit moved from heritage sites to university engagements and then to broader cultural experiences. Each stop offered something different, but together they gave a clearer picture of how history, culture, and education continue to shape connections between communities.
For ADNU leaders, the visit was not only an opportunity to learn from these experiences but also a chance to strengthen relationships that can support future collaboration and shared initiatives.
Written by:
Dr. Marshal Q. Murillo
Global Engagement Office
Ateneo de Naga University
