Southwest China city becomes illuminating destination for Taiwan students

Chongqing, as a cutting-edge center of innovation and development in southwest China, has become a popular destination for college-age visitors from Taiwan seeking engaging educational opportunities during summer vacation.

A number of cross-Strait exchange activities were held in the city from July 15 to 23. Teachers and students from 12 universities on the island, as well as five universities on the mainland, took part in a New Media Innovation Camp.

The teachers and students visited Changan Automobile's Global R&D to observe the latest in automotive technology, as well as Yubei Longxing General Aviation Airport, where they learned about the low-altitude flight industry.

Students said they gained powerful insights through this immersive and on-site teaching method.

"I feel that the mainland, especially Chongqing, is very futuristic. And I don't hear much noise from the cars on the road. The cars here are very advanced. I have never been this close to a helicopter before, so it's very interesting," said Lai Shao-jun, a student from Taiwan's Takming University of Science and Technology.

The students also experienced the cultural heritage of the municipality, visiting the World Heritage Site of Dazu Rock Carvings and checking in at the Chongqing Jialing River Cableway Museum.

They also saw the Eling Second Factory Cultural and Creative Park, a site that blends industrial history with modern trends in art and culture. Many of the students were looking forward to visiting this site because it was recently featured in one of the hottest memes on social media in which a foreign vlogger asks whether a site is "city or not city" in a humorous evaluation of its attractiveness for urban tourists.

"I feel that Chongqing is now an emerging Internet celebrity city, and everyone says it's an 8D magical city. Yesterday, we experienced traditional Chinese clothing, put on beautiful makeup and hairstyles, wore Hanfu, Ming Dynasty, Tang Dynasty, and other costumes, and watched very beautiful performances, so the overall feeling was very pleasant," said Liu Yu-chien, a student from National Taipei University on the island.

Crucially, the event allowed young people from across the Strait to experience, record, and create beautiful works showcasing Chongqing's unique charm from the perspective of new media practitioners.

"Social media management is becoming a trend worldwide, so I think this is the biggest purpose we're here. We’ve learned a lot about how to make reels, make vlogs, and also [learned about] theories. This is my first time here and I’m really excited about it," said Sun Dian, a student from the island's Tamkang University.

"Most students in this generation have basically grown up with mobile phones, so shooting videos is a daily routine for many of them. Clearly, they are deeply involved with their lenses, allowing them to capture their feelings about Chongqing and the Chinese mainland with their cameras. I think this is a very important life experience for Taiwan students," said Yu Tzu-hsiang, a professor at Taiwan's Shih Hsin University.

Meanwhile, the 21st Taiwan Youth Thousand-Person Summer Camp organized by the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, took place from July 11 to 17 in Chongqing. It included thematic cultural lectures, artistic performances, and other fellowship and exchange activities in various museums. A series of visits and activities allowed the Taiwan university students to feel the unique charm of the city.

"This is my first time coming to Chongqing to participate in this event. I hope I can meet more new friends at this exchange and learn more about the culture and history of the mainland," said Chien Yen-lun, a student from Taiwan's Asia University.

Over the past ten years, more than 5,400 Taiwan compatriots have applied for Taiwan Resident Permits in Chongqing. The city has attracted a total of 819 Taiwan-funded enterprises in ten years.

According to official figures, more than 88,000 tourists from Taiwan entered the city in the first half of 2024, making it the top source of tourists.

Southwest China city becomes illuminating destination for Taiwan students

As the Qingming Festival approaches this Friday, various traditional folk activities have been held across China, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the occasion.

With a 2,500-year history, Qingming Festival, or the Festival of Pure Brightness, observed in early April, uniquely combines ancestral worship with the celebration of spring. Falling on the 15th day after the spring equinox, this ritual-rich observance reflects China's enduring values of ancestral veneration and inspires deep introspection about what gives life meaning.

In Sijia Village, Huayin City, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, a unique swing festival is held to mark the occasion. Eighteen different types of traditional swings, such as the spinning wheel swing, the Bagua swing reminiscent of a rotating carousel, and the balance swing designed for two people, have attracted many visitors.

Historically, Sijia Village served as a military post guarding the strategic Tongguan pass, a former mountain pass and fortress located south of the confluence of the Wei and Yellow Rivers. The swing tradition in the village has its origins in military training exercises like climbing and river crossing. The local swing culture further developed as regional trade flourished, eventually evolving into the "swing festival" that continues today.

"It's very exciting and tests your skill, endurance, and most importantly, your arm strength. You need to maintain balance," said Qu Xiangyang, a visitor.

In Rudong County, Nantong City, east China's Jiangsu Province, another traditional Qingming activity takes place - kite flying.

Flying kites as a way of making wishes is an age-old Qingming custom in this region. As a result, the Qingming Festival in Nantong is also known as the "Kite Festival."

The local Banyao whistling kite making skills is listed as one of the first national intangible cultural heritage items.

According to a folk culture expert, people traditionally write the names of diseases or misfortunes on paper, attach it to a kite, and release it into the sky. This practice is believed to drive away illness and disaster, while also serving as a way to make wishes.

In south China's Guangdong Province, a large tug-of-war competition is underway in Maoming City. Teams from different towns and streets are competing, attracting many locals to cheer on their teams.

Tug-of-war, which originated during the late Spring and Autumn period (770 BC - 476 BC), became part of Qingming customs during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty once organized large-scale tug-of-war competitions for the festival.

"Tug-of-war became very popular in the Tang Dynasty, even emerging as the national sport. It originated in the Jingchu region and later spread across the country. In ancient Lingnan (Southern China), tug-of-war games were a common tradition. Through these events, people seek to pray for peace, prosperity, and abundant harvests," said Yao Guojun, vice dean of the College of Arts and Law, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology.

Traditional folk activities held for Qingming Festival