I recently visited Yichang, my wife’s hometown and one of the first major cities the Yangtze River traverses. Besides the river’s sheer grandeur, I was captivated by its cultural significance and its pivotal role in the development of Chinese civilization through the dynasties.

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I asked her if she thought the waters of Yichang would eventually flow to Singapore, to which she responded that if there is a will for it to flow, it will find a way, much like how she found a path to Singapore. This reminded me of the Chinese diaspora that settled in Southeast Asia, overcoming numerous obstacles along the way.

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To the Southern Seas is conceived as a metaphorical journey from the Yangtze River to Southeast Asia, capturing the river's majestic presence and the vibrant diversity of cultures encountered along the way, while also celebrating the resilience of the Chinese diaspora in the southern seas.