The cross-Strait youth exchanges are as hot as the rising summer temperatures, said Chen Binhua, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday.
"With the summer vacation coming, enthusiasm for cross-Strait youth exchanges is rising like the temperature in the height of summer. A series of cross-Strait youth exchange activities are successively held, providing platforms for Taiwan youth to come to the mainland for visits, exchanges, studies, working as interns, and seeking jobs and business opportunities, and creating conditions for young people across the Strait to deepen exchanges, enhance mutual understanding, and strengthen bonds," Chen said.
He said that since early July, various exchange programs popular among youngsters across the Strait have been unfolded, including the Cross-Strait Youth Summit, the cross-Strait youth development forum, the opening ceremony of the summer camp for 1,000 Taiwan compatriots and youth sponsored by the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, the Shaanxi-Taiwan cultural exchange week, the Jingchu tour for youth from Hubei and Taiwan, the Shandong-Taiwan youth cultural exchange season, the Tianfu or Sichuan Tour for Taiwan youth, the award ceremony for photography works entitled "Love Beijing, Love Taiwan," the 2025 internship program for Taiwan youth in Shenzhen, and the 2025 cross-Strait ethnic minority exchange activities.
Youth from both sides of the Strait have actively responded and enthusiastically participated.
Following them, a series of cross-Strait youth exchange events, including the Cross-Strait Youth Culture Month, the internship program for college students in Taiwan in Guangzhou, cultural exchange conference in Longyan, and the youth baseball culture festival in Liancheng will be successively held in provinces of Jiangsu, Guangdong, Fujian and other places, said Chen.
"We sincerely invite youth of Taiwan, especially those who have never been to the mainland, to come and take a look. More Taiwan youth are welcome to participate in cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation and in integrated development, to make friends and strengthen ties with youth on the mainland, and to work hand in hand with them to gather youthful strength for the peaceful and integrated development of cross-Strait relations," Chen said.
Cross-Strait youth exchanges as hot as summer: spokesman
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
