Overseas Senior Chinese Return Home
— A New Guangzhou at the National Games
Voice-over: The 2025 National Games are about to kick off in the Greater Bay Area. Uncle and Auntie Chen, overseas Chinese who have lived abroad for many years, have returned to watch the Games — and were amazed the moment they landed, completely stunned by how much their homeland has changed.
Auntie Chen: Honey, look at this airport — it’s completely different from when we left decades ago.
Uncle Chen: I know, it’s so modern and high-tech!
Mr. Huang: Mr. Chen! Over here! Hope we didn't keep you waiting too long?
Mrs. Huang: Long time no see! You must be tired from the flight. There was a bit of traffic, but we still got here just in time.
Uncle Chen: Not at all — we just got off the plane and are still taking everything in.
Auntie Chen: Absolutely! The changes at Guangzhou Airport are unbelievable — it’s so clean and modern, and there’s National Games stuff everywhere! We kept saying this trip back is already worth it!
Voice-over: Exactly — Guangzhou has truly become an international city.
Mrs. Huang: And the airport is just the beginning! You haven’t been back in years — we’ll show you all the new things Guangzhou has to offer.
Auntie Chen: Perfect! This time, we really want to explore properly and soak up the energy of the National Games ourselves!
Mr. Huang: Okay, let’s go!
Voice-over: Mr. and Mrs. Huang planned to first take them to the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, and then on to the century-old Tao Tao Ju for dim sum.
Mr. Chen: I never thought I’d hear this familiar song again after all these years!
Voice-over: Uncle Chen is a descendant of the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall.
Auntie Chen: We’re finally back at our old home! Our hometown has really done a great job preserving the old buildings — keeping the culture alive while adding new energy.
Uncle Chen: Absolutely!
Auntie Chen: I’m starving after all that walking! I’ve been craving some hometown dim sum — where should we go first?
Mrs. Huang: Let’s take you to try Guangzhou’s famous dim sum!
Auntie Chen: Good idea!
Voice-over: They arrived at Tao Tao Ju, with the stunning Zhujiang New Town and Canton Tower right in view.
Auntie Chen: It’s breathtaking! The Canton Tower really stands out as the city’s landmark, and Zhujiang New Town’s buildings are sleek, shining, and impressively modern.
Manager: Good morning. Welcome to Tao Tao Ju. How many people, please?
Mr. Huang: A table for four, please.
Manager: Certainly, sir. How about the table by the window? You may enjoy the beautiful city view outside.
Mr. Huang: That’s fine, thanks.
Manager: This way, please.
Manager: What kind of tea would you like — Pu’er, Longjing, or black tea?
Mr. Huang: What would you like?
Uncle Chen: We’ll have black tea, please.
Manager: Sure!
Manager: Here’s our menu too — all the classic Guangzhou dim sum you can try.
Auntie Chen: What’s this “Swan Pastry”?
Manager: Just look at the picture! This pastry is shaped like a swan — it’s beautiful and tastes amazing. It’s one of our creative specialties.
Auntie Chen: Perfect, let’s try this along with a few other dishes for now.
Manager: Got it.
Uncle Chen: This is incredible! Just like the dim sum I used to eat as a kid — only a bit fancier now.
Voice-over: Life is better these days, and people expect more from their food — keeping the traditional flavors while adding creative new twists. Just like Guangzhou itself, where rich history meets modern innovation.
Mr. Huang: Excuse me, check, please.
Voice-over: After morning tea, everyone headed to the Nansha Culture Sports Center, where the National Games mascots, Xi Yangyang and Le Rongrong, were ready to greet visitors.
Mr. Huang: We’ve made it to Nansha Culture Sports Center!
Mrs. Huang: Look at those two adorable mascots!
Xi Yangyang: Hi everyone! I’m Xi Yangyang! We’re here to wish you all the best for the National Games, and hope you have a fantastic time in Guangzhou!
Le Rongrong: I’m Le Rongrong! So happy to meet you all!
Mr. Chen and Mrs. Chen: Thank you! Good to meet you, too!
Voice-over: The Nansha Culture Sports Center has world-class facilities, and its gym can accommodate tens of thousands of spectators.
Mr. Huang: After the National Games, the public will be able to use the gym too. It’s designed to be grand, dignified, and citizen-friendly.
Mr. Chen: This gym is so big!
Mrs. Chen: Excuse me, this gym looks incredible! Are there any special features we should know about?
Venue Staff: Everyone, please follow me. Let’s head to the demonstration hall — I’ll explain everything in detail there.
Voice-over: Everyone followed the venue staff to the demonstration hall.
Venue Staff: Welcome to Nansha Stadium! Our sports center sits right by the sea — spectators can enjoy the ocean views and fresh sea breezes while watching events. It can hold tens of thousands of people, was built from the start using low-carbon materials, and has now been upgraded with smart systems, including auto-adjusting lights and air conditioning — efficient and convenient. The seating can be flexibly configured to meet the needs of different types of events. The football field features bright blue tracks and lush green lawns, full of energy, and the outdoor courts will be open to the public after the Games. Designed with the “Green National Games” concept in mind, this venue blends cutting-edge technology with eco-friendly design. At night, the three venues glow like pearls on the water — absolutely breathtaking!
Uncle Chen: Seeing all this has me even more pumped for the National Games!
Auntie Chen: And it’s not just the gym — after being here a few days, we can really appreciate how top-notch Guangzhou’s city facilities have become!
Voice-over: The subway is fast and clean, convenient facilities are everywhere, the food is delicious and safe, and the staff are so friendly — all of this makes Uncle and Auntie Chen feel blessed.
Auntie Chen: I’m really curious — you’re both retired, so how come you’re still so energetic? You speak English, know so much, and seem even more lively than younger people!
Mrs. Huang: We really have to thank the Guangzhou Municipal Government for that
Voice-over: Nowadays, the government really cares about seniors’ well-being. Nursing homes are well-run, and there are plenty of senior colleges — Mr. and Mrs. Huang take part in these programs, learning new things and making friends, which keeps their spirits high and their energy levels up.
Auntie Chen: So that’s why! With such thoughtful policies and care, it’s no wonder you’re so full of energy!
Mrs. Huang: That’s right! Come back anytime! Our country’s getting stronger, Guangzhou’s looking more beautiful than ever, and there will be even more great policies and fun events — let’s enjoy the country’s progress and have a good time together!
Mr. Chen and Mrs. Chen: Sure, we’ll definitely come back.
Everyone: Wow! So many drones!
Mr. Huang: Let’s go! Time to check out the drone show!
Voice-over: Uncle Chen and his wife’s journey back to their hometown isn’t just a trip down memory lane — it’s also a wonderful surprise to witness how their city has soared. This moving and inspiring experience will become a shared pride for Chinese people at home and abroad, drawing more of them back to this beloved land to celebrate its prosperity and embrace a brighter, happier future together.
