Ma Ying-jeou, Taiwan youths visits Fuzhou

Ma Ying-jeou, former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, and accompanying youth delegation from Taiwan on Wednesday paid a visit to some historical sites in the city of Fuzhou, east China's Fujian Province, rekindling shared historical memories for people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits.

The stop in Fuzhou is part of their two-week visit to the Chinese mainland.

The sites they visited in Fuzhou include the former residence of Lin Juemin, a renowned revolutionary hero, the Taiwan Guild Hall, and the Memorial Hall for Lin Zexu, a Chinese national hero who suppressed the opium trade and fought against foreign aggression in the 19th century.

The Ma Ying-jeou Foundation stated that this trip makes Ma feel a strong sense of bond and belonging.

"In Taipei, there are both Fuzhou Street and Xiamen Street. So, Mr. Ma told his friends in Fujian Province that he grew up in the Wanhua District of Taipei [where there are streets named after the city of Guangzhou, Fuzhou, and Xiamen], so he has been familiar with the streets since childhood. Coming here was also his long-cherished wish. He visited the former residence of Lin Juemin [today], which was Mr. Ma's lifelong aspiration. I think this trip is very profound and touching for him," said Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of Ma Ying-jeou Foundation.

Ma Ying-jeou, Taiwan youths visits Fuzhou

China's movie industry is increasingly deriving its earnings from broader consumer economy.

Released during the 2025 summer season, the film "Nobody" became China's highest-grossing two-dimensional animated film -- and its success went beyond theaters.

Through licensing and brand partnerships, the movie has generated 2.5 billion yuan (about 358.3 million U.S. dollars) in retail sales to consumers, with more than 800 licensed products on the market.

Ranging from plush toys to food and home goods, the movie-related merchandise can be purchased from over 3,000 online and offline outlets.

Meanwhile, souvenir stores are crowded at Shanghai Disneyland's Zootopia themed land, with hats, plush toys, and collectibles seeing steady demand from visitors.

"China's film industry is no longer defined by box office revenue alone. It has become a new growth engine that links and energizes multiple cultural sectors. At the heart of every successful film is strong storytelling. High-quality productions create cultural value, which in turn enhances the commercial value of intellectual property and opens up new consumption opportunities. I believe China's film industry delivered an outstanding performance in the past year," said Chen Xiaoda, vice dean of Shanghai Vancouver Film School.

Film IP fuels expansion of consumer market