A China-Hungary cultural exchange event was held in Budapest on Friday to mark the growing bond between the two countries.
The event was co-hosted by China Media Group (CMG), Hungary's Media Service Support and Asset Management Fund (MTVA) and Hungarian-Chinese Friendship Association (MKBT).
The Hungarian version of the Chinese documentary L.E. HUDEC, produced by the China Central Newsreel and Documentary Film Studio Group of CMG, was showcased at the event.
The documentary narrates the life story of Hungarian architect Ladislav Hudec, highlighting the theme that civilization is enriched through exchange and enhanced through mutual learning.
Born in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, Hudec fled the turmoil of World War I and sought refuge in China. Settling in Shanghai in 1918, he played a key role in shaping the skyline of what would become China's largest metropolis.
Hudec designed nearly 70 buildings in Shanghai -- 27 of which are now recognized as outstanding historical landmarks. Among his iconic works are the Park Hotel, once the tallest building in Asia, the Grand Theater, the Moore Memorial Church and the wedge-shaped Wukang Building, formerly known as the Normandie Apartments.
Hungarian figures from architecture, culture and media attended the event, along with the chairman of the Hudec Cultural Foundation and members of the Hudec family. They expressed their gratitude to CMG for the documentary that brings Hudec's life and career to the forefront.
The documentary is being broadcast on Hungary's national cultural channel operated by the MTVA from Sept 9 to Oct 4.
China, Hungary hold cultural exchange event to boost bilateral ties
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
