Guests from over 30 countries wrapped up their discussions on exchanges among civilizations at a cultural forum concluded Sunday in east China's Zhejiang Province.
The forum, themed "Hehe Culture and New Model for Human Progress," aims to facilitate dialogue and exchange among civilizations.
Hehe culture, believed to have originated in the Tiantai Mountain in Taizhou, is a valued component of traditional Chinese culture. The term "Hehe" consists of two different Chinese characters: the first "he" represents harmony, peace and balance, while the second refers to convergence, unity and cooperation.
During the forum, the organizing committee named three new Hehe Culture ambassadors.
Additionally, Taizhou, along with 14 international friendship cities, launched the "Initiative for Cultural Economic and Trade Exchange and Cooperation among Sister Cities."
During one of the forum's sub-events, guests from both home and abroad took high-speed train to visit various sites including the Blue Circle project -- a new marine waste recycling pattern awarded the 2023 Champion of the Earth for Entrepreneurial Vision, one of the United Nations' highest environmental honors.
The Global Forum on Hehe Culture was first created in 2021 in Taizhou. Since then, the county has actively created an international communication product matrix around the forum, effectively enhancing the global communication and influence of Chinese civilization, according to the organizers.
Guests from 30 countries wrap up discussions on exchanges of civilizations in Zhejiang
A delegation of 40 students and teachers from seven Chinese mainland universities on Thursday wrapped up their nine-day visit to Taiwan. They set off for Taiwan on Nov. 27 and visited universities, historical sites, scenic spots, as well as sports, sci-tech and cultural venues on the island, widely engaging with locals throughout the tour.
The delegation made the tour at the invitation of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation.
"The young people from both sides of the Strait share the same root, and we are having a harmonious communication this time. We also welcome young people from Taiwan to visit the mainland for exchange," Cao Yibo, a student from Peking University, told reporters during the tour.
The delegation included table tennis Olympic champion Ma Long who studies at Beijing Sport University, and air rifle Olympic champion Yang Qian of Tsinghua University.
"In the future, I would like to visit Taiwan again. I did not expect that so many compatriots in Taiwan would come to welcome and us and pay so much attention to our exchange tour," Ma said.
Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, saw off the delegation at the airport on Thursday, and said the mainland students and teachers had received Taiwan residents' heartfelt welcome wherever they went.
"The farewell dinner party was held yesterday evening, when almost all students from the mainland shared their feelings. What moved me so much is that every one of them thanked people here, because the latter sincerely and warmly welcomed them wherever they went during the nine-day tour. They told me that when they go back, they will tell their relatives and friends that people in Taiwan are kind, hospitable and warm. I believe that is the most important purpose of the exchange across the Strait," he said.
Calling youth exchanges a foundation of cross-Strait relations in the future, Hsiao said the foundation will carry on and continue to promote such exchanges across the Strait.
This is the second delegation of mainland teachers and students visiting Taiwan at the invitation of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, following the visit by a first delegation in July last year.
Delegation of mainland university students, teachers wraps up Taiwan visit
