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On a clear summer afternoon in the Netherlands, the warmth of the Utrecht Flower City Restaurant was palpable. Representatives of the 17th board of the Overseas Chinese Association in the Netherlands specially traveled to visit a distinguished elder of the overseas Chinese community – Mr. Hu Zhiguang, the Honorary Permanent President of the Overseas Chinese Association in the Netherlands. Mr. Hu, in his eighties, appeared vigorous and spirited. His discourse still exuded elegance and resilience, commanding profound respect. His personal journey of striving is not only a true depiction of overseas Chinese forging ahead through hardship and perseverance, but also an indispensable page in the spiritual tapestry of generations of overseas Chinese.
Photo of Mr. Hu Zhiguang, Honorary President for Life of the Overseas Chinese Association in the Netherlands, being interviewed.
Going abroad to seek a turning point in life
Mr. Hu Zhiguang was born in 1941 into an ordinary carpenter's family in Yuhu Town, Wencheng County, Zhejiang Province. In that era of post-war recovery and severe lack of medical resources, young Hu Zhiguang unfortunately contracted tuberculosis, forcing him to discontinue his studies. This was a devastating blow to his destiny and became the starting point for him to leave his hometown and embark on a journey overseas.
In 1962, he made a decision that was hard for ordinary people to imagine – he embarked on a journey to seek medical treatment alone. From Wencheng, Zhejiang to Guangzhou, then via Macau and Hong Kong, finally arriving in Milan, Italy, this journey took him a full six months. Along the way, he endured hardship and exhaustion, both physically and mentally, but he gritted his teeth and persevered, holding onto his desire for life and hope for the future.
Upon arriving in Milan, with no knowledge of the language and no money, coupled with a serious illness, his life once fell into despair. It was at this moment that overseas Chinese compatriots living in Italy extended a helping hand, spontaneously raising funds to assist him, thereby securing basic living and medical conditions. With the bond of hometown connections, he was able to be admitted to a sanatorium run by the Red Cross, receive systematic treatment, and finally recover. This experience became deeply rooted in his heart and served as the driving force throughout his life to “remind himself of the source when drinking water and give back to the overseas Chinese community.”
After recovering, Hu Zhiguang did not rely on others but chose to create his future with his own hands. With the help of his fellow villagers, he partnered to open a leather goods workshop. He worked during the day and self-studied Italian at night, embarking on a path of self-reliance and entrepreneurship.
Settle in the Netherlands and start a new chapter of hard work.
In 1968, Mr. Hu Zhiguang went to the Netherlands to join his father, who was operating a Chinese restaurant there. Upon his arrival, he complained nothing and started as a kitchen apprentice, doing everything from washing vegetables to stir-frying and miscellaneous tasks. Through countless stir-fries, he not only honed his exquisite culinary skills but also forged an unyielding character and tenacious perseverance.
Years later, he founded his own “Sunshine Restaurant” in the city of Utrecht, symbolizing “facing the sun and aspiring to hope.” The restaurant quickly gained fame after opening, becoming a banner for Chinese cuisine in the local area. In the unfamiliar land of the Netherlands, he finally established a firm foothold, creating a better life for himself and his family.
As his career stabilized, Hu Zhiguang gradually shifted his focus to overseas Chinese community affairs. Influenced by his father-in-law, he joined the Federation of Chinese Organizations in the Netherlands. Starting as an ordinary member, his diligent work and sincere approach quickly made him stand out. He successively served as a director and executive director, and was elected president of the federation multiple times. He has always believed, “While personal development is important, for a nation to take root, survive, and thrive in a foreign land, it must rely on unity and organization.”
During his tenure as president, the association continuously grew and achieved several “firsts”: He personally founded the first Chinese newspaper in the Netherlands, "Overseas Chinese News," not only participating in topic selection and writing but also in typesetting, printing, binding, and delivery, making it an important channel for information exchange and connecting with hometown sentiments within the Dutch Chinese community at the time.
The picture shows Mr. Hu Guoqian, president of the General Association of Overseas Chinese in the Netherlands, presenting a calligraphy work by Mr. Xu Hezheng to Mr. Hu Zhiguang.
Serving overseas Chinese wholeheartedly.
Mr. Hu Zhiguang deeply understood that culture is the soul of a nation and the root that ensures the continuous heritage of overseas Chinese communities. Therefore, starting in 1981, he successively established Chinese schools in Utrecht, The Hague, Haarlem, and other places, hiring professional teachers and developing systematic curricula. By 1998, this network had expanded to cover the entire country, with a total of 17 schools and 2,400 students. He provided a solid platform for mother-tongue education for the children of overseas Chinese in the Netherlands, and also built a bridge for Sino-Dutch cultural exchange.
At the same time, he actively worked to promote the integration of Chinese people into mainstream society. Through his efforts, the Utrecht city government allocated an annual subsidy of 57,000 Dutch guilders to establish the “Chinese Friendship Center.” This center became a multifunctional platform for overseas Chinese to gather, exchange, showcase their culture, and receive legal advice, greatly enriching their spiritual lives.
In 1984, he organized and founded the first “All-Netherlands Chinese Sports Meet,” uniting Chinese community associations scattered across the Netherlands, fostering exchange through sports competition and passing on spirit through effort and struggle. This initiative led to the establishment of the “All-Netherlands Chinese Sports Federation.” In 1994, he successfully facilitated the “Overseas World Chinese Sports Meet” held in Amsterdam. This event was a milestone in the history of overseas Chinese sports and marked a higher level of unity and identification for the Chinese community in the Netherlands.
In the Chinese catering industry, facing issues such as a talent shortage and inconsistent technical standards, he strongly advocated for the reconstruction of the “Dutch Chinese Catering Association.” He invited renowned Chinese chefs to the Netherlands for training, introduced a Chinese catering vocational standard system, promoted reforms in the chef immigration mechanism, and drove the transformation and upgrading of the entire industry. In 1992, he was awarded the title of “Honorary Chairman” by the Royal Dutch Catering Association, becoming the first Chinese person to receive this honor, which is an important symbol of the enhanced influence of Chinese cuisine overseas.
The economic and trade field was also a focal point of his attention. In 1999, he initiated the establishment of the “Netherlands-China Chamber of Commerce,” building an economic and trade bridge connecting 24 provinces and cities in China with the Netherlands, promoting business matchmaking and resource sharing between the two countries. He also took the lead in forming the “United Chinese Associations of the Netherlands” and the “United Overseas Chinese Associations of Europe,” effectively integrating scattered overseas Chinese associations to form a concerted force, enabling overseas Chinese to have a stronger voice on the European political, economic, and cultural stage.
Pictured is Mr. Hu Guoqian, President of the Federation of Overseas Chinese in the Netherlands, presenting a souvenir from the Federation to Mr. Hu Zhiguang.
Never forget your original intention, and give your regards to future generations.
When talking about the future of overseas Chinese associations, Mr. Hu Zhiguang said with a firm gaze and earnest words: “Overseas Chinese must unite and be harmonious. Unity brings strength, and overseas Chinese communities will develop for a longer time.” This is not only a summary of his life but also a heartfelt entrustment to the younger generation of overseas Chinese.
He was gratified to see that more and more young Chinese were willing to participate in the development of overseas Chinese associations and inherit and develop their traditions. “Times have changed, but the spirit must not,‘ he said. ’Overseas Chinese associations are our ”roots,' and they are the source of our strength to look out for each other and move forward together."
Old Hu's life is a true reflection of how a “grassroots” overseas Chinese person carved out a life for themselves in a foreign land through sheer willpower and responsibility. He not only wrote his own legend but also quietly safeguarded the roots and soul of the entire Chinese community in the Netherlands.
Interview Conclusion
Mr. Hu Zhiguang's life was a journey of rising from hardship and dedicating himself through struggle. He practiced the Overseas Chinese community spirit of “patriotism, love for hometown, unity, mutual assistance, and self-improvement” with his actions. His story will serve as a collective memory for the Chinese community in the Netherlands, inspiring more overseas Chinese to continue moving forward.
In this elder leader of the overseas Chinese community, we see the resilience, wisdom, and patriotic heart of a generation of expatriates. We are proud to have such predecessors, and we understand more clearly the responsibilities we carry on our shoulders.
Homage to Mr. Hu Zhiguang, and homage to everyone who silently dedicates themselves to the overseas Chinese community.Pictured is a warm group photo of representatives from the United Chinese Association in the Netherlands with two senior overseas Chinese leaders (Photo members: Hu Zhiguang, Hu Keming, Hu Guoqian, Pan Shibiao, Shan Ning, Chen Jiuzeng, Xu Hezheng, Hu Shaoxi, Lin Feng, Feng Jimin, Zhou Xuejiao)
Written by:Secretariat of the Chinese in the Netherlands Association
Video source:Secretariat of the Chinese in the Netherlands Association
Image source:Secretariat of the Overseas Chinese Federation of the Netherlands, European Chinese Media
Edit:Zhang Chenlin Alex ZhangI made
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