The press center for the commemorations of the 80th Anniversary of Victory of Chinese People's Resistance against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War opened in Beijing on Wednesday.
Based in the Beijing Media Center Hotel, the center handles press credentials and coordinate interview opportunities for both Chinese and foreign journalists. It also offers technical support, reference materials, and assistance with reporting inquiries.
The lobby of the press center has been decorated with red and yellow signs and emblems commemorating the 80th anniversary of victory in Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War.
In a working area on the first floor of the news center, converted from a cafe, lights have been turned up and a set of fluorescent lights has been put into place, to create a good working environment for journalists.
Next to the working area is China Media Group (CMG)'s exhibition area, where 4K and 8K ultra-high-definition and AI-empowered devices are on display. Many will be used to record the upcoming commemorative events.
On the second floor, there are approximately 200 seats in the press conference room where three press conferences and three group interviews are scheduled. The first press conference was held on Thursday.
Outside the press conference room is an exhibition of 69 photos of the past military parades held since the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
The first photo is a black-and-white image displaying a cavalry unit at the military parade during the founding ceremony of the PRC on October 1, 1949.
Presenting seven decades of parades until 2019, when a military parade was held to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC, the first photos are in black and white with the more modern ones in color, with higher resolution imagers of ever more advanced weapons and equipment.
Media center for victory anniversary events opens in Beijing
Media center for victory anniversary events opens in Beijing
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
