XIAMEN, China, Oct. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of the great contributions made by and the heartfelt patriotism for his home country felt by famous Southeast Asia overseas Chinese resident, Tan Kah-Kee, the Malaysia Tan Kah-Kee Memorial Museum opened in Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall on October 6.
Tan Kah-Kee, born in Jimei Village in 1874, joined his father's business at age 17. The business, which he further developed and expanded across Southeast Asia, was a great success, bringing him great wealth. Tan devoted himself wholly to education and philanthropic work, donating almost all the money he earned to charitable causes. Starting in 1913, he funded construction in his home town of a dozen schools, later known as Jimei School Village, providing primary and secondary education as well as teacher training and higher level instruction.
Chinese ambassador to Malaysia Chai Xi and Malaysian Prime Minister's Special Envoy to China Ong Ka Ting attended the opening ceremony. Chai said that the establishment of the memorial museum is a historic and meaningful milestone for Malaysia's Chinese society, inspiring Chinese worldwide to recall Tan's stories, to strive for personal success and to become advocates of Tan Kah-Kee's spirit of being "genuine and courageous, selfless for the public interest, always ready to help, fair and just as well as selflessly devoted.
At the same time, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Jimei School Village and the 54th anniversary of Oversea Chinese Museum, both founded by Tan Kah-Kee, the Oversea Chinese Museum recently hosted the "Exhibition of Tan Kah-Kee's Classic Collection of Foreign Cultural Relics" and the Photo Exhibition themed "Following Tan Kah-Kee's Spirit, Loving Jimei School Village" in Beijing's Capital Museum.
Seventy-five foreign cultural relics collected by Tan Kah-Kee were showcased at the Exhibition, including both cultural relics and modern art treasures from 12 countries in Europe and Asia. In addition, the Photo Exhibition is dedicated to creating a record of the early history of Jimei School Village. Visitors can acquire an intimate knowledge of Xiamen, Jimei School Village and Tan Kah-Kee's buildings through the exhibitions and other scheduled events.
The Exhibition closes on October 27, 2013.
SOURCE Xiamen Municipal Government, P. R. China
Editor: PR Wire
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
