Lebanon is facing increasing pressure as more Syrian refugees are fleeing their home country to seek shelter and make temporary settlement in this neighboring country.
The latest official statistics from the Lebanon government show that there are currently 1.5 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon, most of whom have been living there for more than a decade.
Since the conflict against civilians and security personnel in the coastal cities in northwest Syria in mid-March, nearly 13,000 Syrian refugees have fled across the border into Lebanon, scattered in more than 20 villages and towns in north Lebanon's Akkar Governorate, which is close to the country’s border with Syria.
The activity center of Tall Bireh Town has been transformed into a refugee camp, where pouring-in Syrians have temporarily settled down. More than 250 Syrian refugees, from babies just a few month old to elderly people in their 80s, are now living there.
"When we arrived here, the Lebanese people gave us the warmest reception. Now we can sleep peacefully. Just this alone is very precious -- we can sleep safely," said a Syrian refugee.
"We are tired of it all, really, the past wars and the ongoing wars. We are really fed up with them, and we have lost everything. Everything is gone," said another Syrian refugee.
The influx of refugees has exerted tremendous pressure on Akkar's infrastructure and public resources.
According to Tall Bireh officials, the number of refugees has exceeded that of local villagers over the past few months.
"The Lebanese and Syrian people have a close relationship like family and neighbors. The official statistics are not comprehensive. The actual number of refugees may be close to 30,000, and this huge number has put a great pressure on the infrastructure of local towns and has posed severe challenges to municipal authorities in terms of medical services, living conditions, food and shelter," said Ahmad Haddam, a local official in Akkar.
Lebanon hosts one of the largest per capita populations of Syrian refugees in the world. Despite the regime change and a recent easing of U.S. sanctions, Syria continues to grapple with a fragile security environment and a deteriorated economy, further complicating repatriation efforts and reintegration.
Lebanon faces increasing pressure with influx of more Syrian refugees
Lebanon faces increasing pressure with influx of more Syrian refugees
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
