In a display of enduring cultural ties, a group of 30 young people from the Taiwan region wrapped up an eight-day visit in Shandong on Friday, marking a new chapter in cross-Straits exchanges.
Setting off on March 28, the delegation embarked on a journey that blended cultural exploration with historical reflection. Guided by Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation in Taiwan, the visitors experienced enriching stops—from the venerable Temple of Confucius in Qufu to traditional cultural ceremonies in Tai'an and Zaozhuang.
During their visit to the Temple of Confucius, the participants paid homage to the ancient sage. One youth shared that, while he often prayed for academic success at home, this time he prayed for his dream of becoming a civil engineering technician—a sentiment deeply tied to long-standing spiritual traditions in the Taiwan region.
The journey also coincided with the approach of the Qingming Festival. At the Taierzhuang War Memorial Hall, the delegation observed a flower-wreath-presenting ceremony, laying tribute to the war heroes commemorated by the historic Battle of Taierzhuang, the first major Japanese defeat during the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. A visit to a cross-Straits themed park further highlighted the importance of people-to-people exchanges.
Hsiao remarked, "Cross-Straits people-to-people exchanges are essential. The more the people understand each other, the more consensus is built and misunderstandings diminish. This shared cultural understanding demonstrates the inseparable ties between the two sides."
Building on previous cultural and sports exchanges—such as a delegation to Beijing earlier this year and plans for mainland university visits to Taiwan later in 2024—the trip reinforces the vital connections that unite communities on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
