A root-seeking event held in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province, on Dec 16, is attended by over 300 overseas Chinese from home and abroad. [Photo/taihainet.com]

More than 300 overseas Chinese from home and abroad participated in a root-seeking event, which started in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province, Dec 16.

The root-seeking activity will help overseas Chinese gain a better understanding of Chinese civilization, and promote the inheritance and development of traditional Chinese culture. Focusing on traditional Chinese surname culture, the event is expected to offer attendees a chance to get to the roots of their family trees.

Surname culture plays an important role in Chinese civilization, bringing vitality and emotional appeal to overseas Chinese, according to Zhuang Yanlin, former chairman of All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese.

Organizers said that the activity will focus on Fujian province to learn more about the province's Chinese surname culture, and take a deep look into characteristic ancestral halls.

Fujian, the birthplace of well-known patriotic overseas Chinese leaders, such as Tan Kah Kee and Zhuang Xiquan, is China's second-largest home town of overseas Chinese.