More Taiwan compatriots are welcomed to visit filming locations and landmarks featured in popular mainland movies and TV dramas, where they can experience not only the natural beauty but also the shared cultural bond between people across the Strait, said Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday.
The recent mainland blockbusters, such as "Ne Zha 2," along with various high-quality TV dramas, have been drawing attention and gaining increasing popularity among audience in Taiwan.
These productions have led more Taiwan people to visit the mainland, exploring filming locations and settings, immersing themselves in the cinematic culture.
Zhu explained that this trend reflects the cultural similarities and shared identity between people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. She also encouraged more Taiwan compatriots who enjoy mainland productions to visit these sites showcased in films and TV shows.
"Relevant media platforms launched the 'Travel Mainland with Films' campaign, while Fuzhou and Xiamen recently rolled out initiatives offering Taiwan compatriots free tickets to watch the film 'Ne Zha: The Devil Boy Churns the Sea' via the 'Mini Three Links' routes to coastal Fujian. These efforts have been warmly welcomed and enthusiastically embraced by people in Taiwan. This reflects the strong appeal of mainland's exceptional film and television culture, along with the charm of Chinese culture conveyed through these productions. It also highlights the deep cultural bonds shared between people on both sides of the Strait," said Zhu.
"We welcome more Taiwan compatriots to visit the mainland and explore the settings or filming locations of their favorite mainland movies and TV shows. Whether it's natural landscape or a pastoral site, each destination will offer friends from Taiwan a unique experience, allowing them to discover a 'different mainland'," said Zhu.
Taiwan compatriots welcomed for film-inspired journey on mainland: spokeswoman
A major port in northern Venezuela came under U.S. airstrikes in the early hours of January 3, which caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure, destroyed critical medical supplies in a warehouse, and severely impacted centuries-old cultural heritage sites, according to local residents.
The La Guaira Port, a vital hub for imports that support daily life in the region, was heavily damaged during the attack.
Large quantities of medical supplies stored at the port were destroyed. A historic cultural building dating back for some 300 years was also badly damaged by the bombardment.
Residents living near the port recalled the terrifying scenes as explosions shook nearby neighborhoods.
Humberto Bolivar, who lives in a community separated from the port by only a main road, said the blast waves shattered his home's windows, while stray shrapnel struck the water tank on his roof. According to reports, three missiles were fired at the port that night.
Bolivar said that beyond material losses, he is most concerned about the psychological impact on his children, who remain too frightened to leave their home days after the attack.
"The United States invaded our country. The children were frightened. This is not good for them, because it leaves some children with psychological trauma. They do not want to go to school or leave the house, because they are afraid that something worse might happen. We truly do not want this to happen to our country," he said.
Apart from civilian facilities, local cultural heritage site was also affected.
The La Guaira state government building, a structure with nearly 300 years of history and once served as the site of Venezuela's first national customs office, was struck by the force of the explosions.
Windows of the building were shattered, and furniture scattered across the floor.
"As people of La Guaira, we feel deep pain. Our cultural heritage has been bombed. We are living in constant anxiety and suffering, and life can no longer be the same as it was before," said a local named Henry Cumares.
The U.S. side has claimed the airstrikes targeted warehouses allegedly used to store narcotics. However, locals refuted such accusation.
"According to what Donald Trump said, they bombed this place using the excuse that the warehouses here were used to store drugs at the port. But based on the video released by our governor, these warehouses that were burned contained medicine for kidney patients and foods. Many people depend on these supplies to survive. I think the bombing is extremely despicable," said a local resident named Alejandro Capriles.
US strike hits Venezuelan port, wrecking medical supplies, heritage building
