Mainland, Taiwan youth call for more exchanges to enhance understanding

Young people from both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan are calling for more youth exchanges and communication to enhance mutual understanding.

Hao Jiaxin and Chen Jiayong are two mainland students studying in Taiwan. Hao is a master's student while Chen is pursuing his PHD degree. Having stayed in the island for many years, they have formed close relations with their teachers and schoolmates from Taiwan.

"I noticed that many young people in Taiwan are also using social media platforms from the mainland, including Xiaohongshu and Bilibili. When talking with them, I found they actually have some understanding of mainland internet culture. Therefore, I think having common topics is the first step, and would make it easier to start in-depth communication and understanding," said Hao.

Since 2016, the number of mainland students in Taiwan like Hao and Chen has plunged.

According to data, the number of mainland students in Taiwan reached 41,975 in 2016. It plummeted to only 4,651 in 2023.

Meanwhile, an increasing number of young people from Taiwan have been welcomed to pursue studies on the Chinese mainland.

From March 27 to April 7 last year, former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party Ma Ying-jeou led a group of young people from Taiwan and visited Nanjing, Wuhan, Changsha, Chongqing, Shanghai and some other places.

One year later, Ma led another youth delegation from Taiwan on a 11-day tour of the mainland in April.

Wan Yu-ming was one of the students in this year's delegation. He was impressed by the rapid development and rich culture of the mainland.

"The mainland has been doing well to foster cultural soft power. We went to the Palace Museum, especially the conservation workshop. Everyone there introduced their specific working fields, and each of them is unique in its own way," he said.

Li Liang-i, another Taiwan student of this year's delegation, said the face-to-face exchanges with students from the mainland provided a chance for better mutual understanding.

"We found that we actually have something in common in the things we are interested in. For example, when we were there, many students asked us if we watched 'Blossoms Shanghai'. This TV series was very popular in Taiwan. They would also say that they watched the film 'The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon', which was popular in the mainland. So we share many similarities in terms of food, hobbies and ways of entertainment," said Li.

Mainland, Taiwan youth call for more exchanges to enhance understanding

On his second official visit to China, Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai expressed admiration for China's remarkable ability to balance preserving its cultural heritage with embracing innovative transformation.

Salwai paid an official visit to China from July 7 to 12. During his trip, he toured the southern province of Guangdong and explored the megacities of Beijing and Shanghai. His visit included tours of high-tech companies, a ride on a high-speed train, and a performance of traditional Cantonese opera.

In an interview with China Central Television Network (CCTV) aired on Friday, Salwai recounted his journey starting with a warm welcome that included enjoying Beijing Roast Duck, also known as Peking Duck -- a culinary delight introduced to him by the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu.

"Many had to say. Peking Duck. Because we had it here on our arrival, so it was very tasty. And I understand that the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu brought us to one of the traditional restaurants, small but beautiful," he said. The prime minister sees China's preservation of its culture as a vital lesson in understanding one's roots and the journey to the present day, acknowledging China's efforts to integrate cultural preservation with modernization.

"It's going to be my second official visit to China. I'm always impressed to see big changes and especially innovations made by China and especially the cities. Because a big impression is to see how China continues to maintain and keep its culture. Because I think it's the basis of everything -- to know where you come from and to understand where we are today. I feel that China is doing a lot to maintain its culture, but at the same time, doing, innovating to transform its culture,” Salwai said.

He also emphasized the importance of learning from China's sustainable development strategies.

"Today, it comes from a long way, some hardship, the government, and also the people of China. So, I'm impressed to see what is done, especially how China associates infrastructure development with nature. That's meant to keep, continue to keep the environment. It takes effort with the climate change by maintaining the ecosystem. I think it's something that, for a small country like Vanuatu, is important to learn. So, we are here. I'm here with my delegation to learn," Salwai said.

Vanuatu's PM commends China's cultural preservation, innovation amid fast growth