Over 1,800 Taiwan college students from a summer camp have visited Zhuhai City in south China's Guangdong Province, expressing their optimism about finding more opportunities to study, work, and start businesses on the Chinese mainland.
Hosted by the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots (ACFTC), the summer camp holds its main event in Guangdong from Friday to Sunday, with more activities set to unfold across 30 provincial-level regions.
Zhuhai's Hengqin Island is a key stop on their journey. It is a model for integrating Guangdong with Hong Kong and Macao into a regional innovation powerhouse.
Among the industries benefiting most from this integration is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
"As a TCM major, I'm thrilled to see it shared in this way. I plan to stay and build my career here — the mainland has a huge market and really supports young people, with strong policies and concrete action. Our university is already working with pharmaceutical companies," said Chiu Yu Hao, a student from Taiwan when visiting a museum showcasing TCM-related exhibits.
At the Zhuhai Space Center, participants got a closer look at China's lunar program and stepped aboard a life-sized replica of the Tiangong space station.
For 19-year-old Peng Hao Yu — even as a returning camper — it was a powerful moment.
"It was stunning. Coming to the mainland now feels just like coming home. Peace is best. If we see each other with appreciation, there's less room for prejudice," he said.
In addition to space labs and robotics lines, the students also visited a high-tech factory producing health supplements.
For camper Chen Ching En, the experience was eye-opening.
"We didn't know much about how fast the mainland's developing, but now it's really opened up my view. There seems to be plenty of job opportunities here," she said.
The mainland continues to roll out policies to support young people from Taiwan — from startup funding to cultural tours and internship programs. Camps like this one offer more than just summer activities. For many, they're a first step toward understanding the mainland — and for some, a reason to return.
Taiwan college students gather in Guangdong for cross-Strait exchanges
