Brazilian Chinese teens participate in the winter camp in Qingtian county of Lishui, Zhejiang province, on Jan 5. [Photo/Tide News]

A winter camp for young overseas Chinese began on Jan 5 at Bowen Middle School in Qingtian county of Lishui, Zhejiang province. Twenty‑five Chinese teenagers from Brazil will spend 15 days exploring their cultural roots and experiencing traditional Chinese heritage.

Participants will take part in cultural activities such as Chinese painting, tea art, and intangible cultural heritage fish‑lantern dancing. Interactive study programs are also arranged to improve their language skill and deepen their understanding of Chinese culture.

Qingtian county is a well‑known hometown of overseas Chinese, with 381,000 nationals residing across 146 countries and regions.

For many years, the county has organized themed summer camps for overseas Chinese youths, earning widespread recognition. Starting in 2025, it has also launched a winter camp for participants from the Southern Hemisphere, helping them reconnect with their ancestral homeland.

A camper shared that, having grown up in Brazil, her visit to Qingtian last year allowed her to experience the warmth of Chinese New Year firsthand. She expressed her enthusiasm about making new friends and hopes to share her experiences in Qingtian with communities in Brazil.