澳大利亚华人历史博物馆(amofch) Australian Museum of Chinese History

帕拉玛塔市建唐人街，传承澳中历史文化

Parramatta to Build New Chinatown, Preserving Sino-Australian Cultural Heritage

近日，我有幸受邀出席在 Parramatta Town Hall（帕拉玛塔市政厅） 举行的重要会议。2025年8月15日，悉尼Parramatta市议会通过议案，决定在辖区内兴建一条全新的唐人街。这一决定不仅旨在传承和弘扬华人文化精神，也将推动本地商业繁荣与旅游发展，为城市注入新的活力。

Recently, I had the honor of attending an important meeting at Parramatta Town Hall. On August 15, 2025, the Parramatta City Council in Sydney passed a resolution to establish a brand-new Chinatown in its district. This initiative not only aims to preserve and promote Chinese cultural heritage, but also to stimulate local commerce and tourism, injecting fresh vitality into the city.

回首数十年来在澳洲的生活，从青年怀揣理想踏上这片土地，到今日见证华人社会的发展壮大，我心中涌起万千感慨。

Looking back on decades of life in Australia—from arriving as a young man with dreams and hopes, to now witnessing the growth and transformation of the Chinese community—I am filled with deep emotions.

记得2000年悉尼奥运会期间，新南威尔士州政府高瞻远瞩，规划建设“奥运走廊”，为悉尼的城市发展奠定了坚实的基础。当时，悉尼前市长 Frank Sartor 先生发挥了关键作用，他以全球视野把握奥运机遇，让世界聚焦悉尼。彼时，代表国家元首伊丽莎白女王的澳洲总督 威廉·迪恩爵士，庄严宣布第二十七届奥运会开幕。熊熊燃烧的圣火不仅点亮了奥林匹克精神，也深深触动了我们，让人感受到文化与精神力量的永恒传承。正是怀着这种心境，我提笔撰下拙文，与诸君共勉。

I still recall the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, when the New South Wales government showed great foresight in planning the “Olympic Corridor,” laying a solid foundation for the city’s future development. At that time, former Sydney Mayor Frank Sartor played a pivotal role, seizing the Olympic opportunity with a global vision that brought the world’s attention to Sydney. Representing Queen Elizabeth II, Governor-General Sir William Deane solemnly declared the opening of the 27th Olympic Games. The blazing Olympic flame not only ignited the spirit of the Games but also reminded us of the enduring power of culture and heritage. With this sentiment in mind, I pen this piece to share with you all.

文化传承 · Cultural Inheritance

中华文明五千年绵延不绝、博大精深，是全体炎黄子孙共同的精神根脉。随着全球化深入与移民广泛分布，数千万华侨华人遍布世界各地。他们不仅是所在国社会的重要组成部分，更是中华文化在海外传播的桥梁与纽带。

Chinese civilization, with its 5,000 years of unbroken continuity and profound depth, is the spiritual root of all descendants of Yan and Huang. With globalization and migration, tens of millions of overseas Chinese are now spread across the world. They are not only integral members of their adopted societies but also vital bridges for the transmission of Chinese culture abroad.

首先，文化传承是维系族群认同的根本。

语言、文字、礼仪、节庆，都是中华文化的鲜明标志。从春节、中秋的节庆，到中文学校、武术书法的学习班，这些活动让新一代华裔子弟认识祖籍国、认同自身血脉。唯有守住文化之根，华人的族群认同才能历久弥坚。

Firstly, cultural inheritance is the foundation of community identity.

Language, writing, customs, and festivals are hallmarks of Chinese culture. From Lunar New Year and Mid-Autumn celebrations to Chinese schools, martial arts, and calligraphy classes, such activities help new generations of Chinese descendants connect with their ancestral homeland and recognize their roots. Only by preserving cultural heritage can the identity of the Chinese community endure.

文化交流 · Cultural Exchange

其次，文化交流是促进文明互鉴的纽带。

中华文化倡导“和而不同”“己所不欲，勿施于人”的理念，为世界贡献了独特的东方智慧。澳大利亚华人历史研究会等社团，通过举办展览、讲座、美食节和艺术表演，把中国故事讲给世界听，不仅提升了中华文化的影响力，也增进了多元族群之间的理解与尊重。

Secondly, cultural exchange is the bridge of mutual learning among civilizations.

Chinese culture advocates values such as “harmony in diversity” and “do not impose on others what you do not desire for yourself,” offering the world profound Eastern wisdom. Organizations like the Australian Chinese Historical Society promote this through exhibitions, lectures, food festivals, and artistic performances—telling China’s story to the world, enhancing the influence of Chinese culture, and fostering mutual understanding and respect among diverse communities.

历史已为我们留下生动的例证。早期社团澳华公会创办人之一 雷亦祥先生（获英女王颁授MBE荣衔），曾为悉尼中国花园（前身“谊园”）奔走多次，专程回国邀请苏州园林专家来澳主持设计与施工，使这一园林成为今日著名旅游胜地。唐人街德信街的美化工程，则凝聚了慈善家 陈炳达先生 的慷慨捐资。他特邀澳洲中山侨乡会书法家 彭中流 题写“四海一家”，笔力雄浑，气韵深厚，如今已成为游客纷纷留影的地标。这些前辈以无私奉献为后人留下了宝贵的精神与物质财富，他们的功绩应当永远铭记。

History provides vivid examples. One of the founders of the Australian Chinese Association, Mr. Louie Yixiang (awarded the MBE by Queen Elizabeth II), tirelessly promoted the establishment of Sydney’s Chinese Garden (formerly “Yi Yuan”), even traveling back to China to invite Suzhou garden experts to design and build it. Similarly, the beautification of Dixon Street in Chinatown was made possible by the generous donations of philanthropist Mr. Bingda Chen, who invited calligrapher Peng Zhongliu from the Zhongshan clan association to inscribe the words “All Under Heaven Are One Family.” His powerful calligraphy became a landmark for visitors. These pioneers, through their dedication and generosity, left both spiritual and material legacies that should be remembered forever.

文化创新 · Cultural Innovation

再次，文化创新是时代赋予华人的责任。

传承并非守旧，而是在继承中发展、在创新中传播。如何让年轻一代在保持中文与传统文化的同时，创造出具有时代感与国际视野的新表达，是华人必须面对的课题。正所谓“前人种树，后人乘凉”，今天我们受惠于先辈留下的遗产，更应思索如何为未来贡献属于这一代的创造与担当。

Finally, cultural innovation is the responsibility of our time.

Inheritance does not mean rigid preservation; it means developing through continuity and spreading through creativity. How to help younger generations retain Chinese language and traditions while creating new expressions with modern relevance and global perspective is a pressing challenge. As the saying goes, “One generation plants the trees, another enjoys the shade.” Benefiting today from the legacies of our forebears, we must now consider how to contribute our own creativity and responsibility to the future.

中华文化不仅属于炎黄子孙，更属于全人类。愿每一位海外华人都成为文化的守护者与传播者，让中华文明的芬芳跨越山海，世代相传，生生不息。

Chinese culture belongs not only to the descendants of Yan and Huang, but also to all humanity. May every overseas Chinese become both a guardian and messenger of culture, so that the fragrance of Chinese civilization may transcend oceans and generations—forever vibrant, forever alive.

澳大利亚华人历史研究会

Written by Charlie Louie

September 4, 2025