Penghu delegation visits mainland, expressing hope to enhance cross-Strait exchanges

A delegation from Taiwan region's Penghu County, on a visit in Beijing, has called for enhanced cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation.

Song Tao, head of both Taiwan Work Office of Communist Party of China Central Committee and Taiwan Affairs Office of State Council on Thursday met with the delegation of Penghu County Council in Beijing.

Song said that the mainland is actively promoting cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, supporting Fujian Province in taking greater strides to explore new paths for integrated development across the Taiwan Strait, and advance integration with counties and cities like Penghu so as to enhance the well-being of Taiwan compatriots.

Stressing that the 1992 Consensus are recognized by people with vision from all sectors in Penghu, the members of the delegation said that Penghu residents hope for peace and harmony across the Taiwan Strait and look forward to closer connections between people from both Taiwan and the mainland. They hope to remove barriers to cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, allowing Penghu to play a more significant role in cross-Strait interactions.

"Since mainland tourists were allowed to travel in Taiwan in 2008, there have been significant challenges in recent years. The year 2014 marked a peak of tourism in Penghu, but after Tsai Ing-wen took office in 2016, tourist numbers began to decline and have now nearly reached zero. With the current unfavorable cross-Strait atmosphere, it is the people who are suffering," said Chen Jen-ho, president of the Penghu County Tourism Interpretation Association.

"After Kinmen and Matsu resumed the 'Mini Three Links,' some tourism industry professionals in Penghu hope that Penghu will be open to mainland tourists, whether in a group tour or an individual tour, allowing them to visit the well-known 'Grandma's Penghu Bay.' I believe we should also build bridges of communication so that both sides of the Taiwan Strait can thrive together, and become even better," said Chen Yu-Jen, Penghu County Council speaker.

Penghu delegation visits mainland, expressing hope to enhance cross-Strait exchanges

The China Media Group (CMG), the country's flagship broadcaster, completed the fifth and final rehearsal of the highly anticipated Spring Festival Gala on Saturday.

A variety of performances were presented, including creative shows, songs and dances, acrobatics, operas, martial arts, sketches and magic tricks, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.

During the rehearsal, the coordination was impeccably smooth between the main venue in Beijing and four sub-venues, Harbin in northeast China's Heilongjiang, Yiwu in Zhejiang Province and Hefei in Anhui Province, both in east China, and Yibin in Sichuan Province in southwest China. Each of the sub-venues showcased its unique festive traditions and distinctive cultural heritage.

The gala, set to be aired on Chinese New Year's Eve on February 16 this year, will combine traditional Chinese culture with modern stagecraft, as well as cross-cultural performances featuring international artists.

Commonly known as "Chunwan" in Chinese, the gala has been broadcast live every Chinese New Year's Eve since 1983 and has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the most-watched annual television program on the planet.

Just over a year ago, the Spring Festival itself was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Final rehearsal for 2026 Spring Festival Gala completes