From September 28 to October 2, 2026, Mr. Yu Jianxiong, Chairman of the Yu Jing Memorial Hall in Shaoguan, Director Yu Xinxing, and clansman Yu Jianjun traveled to Danzhou, Hainan Province, to attend the beam-raising ceremony of the Yu Clan Ancestral Hall, witnessing this historic moment together.

The beam-raising ceremony for the Yu Clan Ancestral Hall in Danzhou, Hainan, took place at 2 a.m. on October 1, 2026 (the 21st day of the eighth lunar month), marking an auspicious milestone. That evening, from 19:39 to 23:30, men of the Yu clan invited women of the Hong (Tong) clan to perform the traditional Diaosheng folk singing to offer their congratulations. On the preceding night, women and daughters-in-law of the Yu clan invited men from Xuzhai and Shatoutou villages to celebrate with Diaosheng performances.

Speakers at the celebration ceremony included: Yu Xiong, senior representative of the Danzhou Yu Clan Association; Yu Jianxiong, Chairman of the Board of the Yu Jing Memorial Hall in Shaoguan; Yu Hanwei, former president of the Danzhou Yu Clan Association; and Yu Hongmei, President of the Danzhou Yu Daughters’ Association.

Seated on the rostrum for the ceremony were: Yu Xiong, senior representative of the Danzhou Yu Clan Association; former presidents Yu Zhenrong and Yu Hanwei; Yu Jianxiong, Chairman of the Yu Jing Memorial Hall in Shaoguan; Director Yu Xinxing and clansman Yu Jianjun; Yu Hongmei, representative of married daughters of the Yu clan in Danzhou; together with senior clan representatives from various regions.

Prosperous culture brings thriving clans. The Danzhou Yu people are descendants of Yu Jing, a distinguished statesman of the Northern Song Dynasty. Their founding ancestor in Danzhou, Yu Zhugao, was conferred the title of Thousand-household Marquis in the Yuan Dynasty. He faithfully guarded the territory and protected local people.

Gathering in Danzhou during the National Day holiday, we witnessed the ceremony and enjoyed the Diaosheng folk songs. We were deeply inspired by the flourishing culture of Hainan and the enduring legacy of Su Dongpo, who wrote: *“I am originally a man of Dan'er, merely dwelling in Xishu”* and *“The sea never severs the land’s cultural thread; scholars in plain robes shall break untrodden ground.”*

Su Dongpo brought the civilisation of the Central Plains to this island and boosted cultural development across Hainan. Hainan’s first successful provincial examination candidate was his pupil. Danzhou produced both Hainan’s first and last successful metropolitan examination candidates in history. Since the Song Dynasty, education and culture on Hainan Island have continued to flourish.

Descendants of Yu Jing have put down roots in Qionghai. They uphold the spirit of Yu Jing’s *Six Maxims for Governance* — integrity, impartiality, diligence, clarity, harmony and prudence — carry forward the Fengcai family tradition, and pass down this heritage from generation to generation.