In 1979, after decades of separation, Tian Qichang finally stood face-to-face with his father in Hong Kong. Born in 1948, Tian had grown up believing his father had vanished after being forcibly drafted to Taiwan when he was just a child.
Moved by his own reunion, Tian left his job in the early 1980s and founded the Cross-Strait Family Reunion Office. Operating from a modest Hong Kong address, he gathered letters from families yearning for news and carried them across the Taiwan Strait, acting as a lifeline between loved ones.
Beyond delivering correspondence, Tian quietly provided financial assistance to low-income relatives on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, covering travel costs and basic expenses. His efforts eased the pain of a generation torn apart by historical rifts and political ambiguity.
Through thousands of heartfelt messages and small acts of support, Tian’s office restored hope and rebuilt connections one family at a time. His work is a vivid reminder that personal bonds can transcend borders.
In our digital era, Tian’s legacy lives on: remote workers, digital nomads and global citizens continue to find creative ways to reconnect across distances, honoring the spirit of unity he championed decades ago.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
