(Re)Discovering Our Roots in China
What does it mean to go on a root-seeking journey in China? Why go on this journey?
Join two Chinese Americans and a Chinese Canadian as they share the raw, honest truths of their journeys—from navigating multiple identities, culture shock, and language barriers to finding unexpected community, walking the paths of their ancestral villages and gaining newfound self-confidence in China.
This session is perfect for you if:
💭 You've never been to China before or have not been to China since you were young. Hear from our three speakers who are in the same boat!
💭 Have difficulties speaking Mandarin and/or your family's language (Cantonese, Toisanese, Hokkien, Teochew, Hakka, Fuzhounese etc) but still want to visit China with others who are on a heritage language learning journey.
💭 You're looking to go to China not just for the food, shopping, and big cities but also to visit your ancestral hometown, learn more about overseas Chinese history, and dive deep into Chinese culture beyond what you see on social media.
💭 You want to make genuine friendships during your China trip, with fellow overseas Chinese as well as locals in China. You believe that the heart of travel lies in the people you meet.
Guest Speakers:
Annie Wu is a Chicago-born American Born Chinese who cares deeply about culture, connection, and living with love and intention. After three years in product management, she took a trip around various provinces in China that reshaped her connection to her heritage. These days, she works in the food & wellness space bringing farmers market produce to New Yorkers. When she's not working, she is discovering her next fitness obsession, supporting others in pursuing their curiosities, or dreaming up her next adventure.
Philman Yeung is Chinese-Canadian, with his parents having immigrated from China in the 1980s. His family comes from Hakka and Cantonese roots in Guangdong province. He visited China in December 2025, with his last visit being 10 years ago prior to this trip. He was previously working at Microsoft as a Product Manager and when not working, he loves to travel with his sketchbook and camera, his favorite way of connecting with a place and documenting memories.
Dr. Beverly Yuen Thompson is a mixed-race Chinese American sociology professor at Siena University teaching and researching Global Social Problems. Her recent research is focused on digital nomadism and she published a book called Digital Nomads Living on the Margins: Remote-Working Laptop Entrepreneurs in the Gig Economy. She will speak on her recent heritage seeking trip around Guangdong and Hong Kong.
Moderators:
Grace Yeung and Yongjian Si are two Chinese Americans living and working in China. They co-founded From Roots to Bridges with the desire to help overseas Chinese reconnect with their roots. Grace's family is from Fuzhou, Fujian and Yongjian was born and raised in Jinan, Shandong.