An artist from China's Taiwan retraced his ancestors' journey through songs, poetry, and paintings, weaving a personal narrative of belonging while highlighting enduring connections that unite the Chinese nation across the Taiwan Strait.
On Oct 25, 1945, the Surrender Ceremony of Taiwan Province in the China War Zone was held in Taipei City, and Taiwan was formally restored to China's territory.
To mark the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration, China Global Television Network (CGTN) presents "Returning to Roots: A journey across the Taiwan Strait," a documentary that unearths long-buried fragments of history and reawakens shared memories.
Guo Yicheng, a professor from the Taiwan region who now works at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, embarked on a journey across the straits in search of identity and origin. Tracing his family genealogy, visiting relatives and traveling through cities in the Chinese mainland.
He traveled to Fenyang city in north China's Shanxi province, where his ancestral roots trace back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
Upon the boundless Loess Plateau, he strummed his guitar to the ancient poem "Jinse" (The Zither), weaving music and memory into the windswept earth.
In Fenyang City, he expressed his feelings through the poem "Homesickness," capturing not only one man's quest for origins but also the living beauty of Chinese culture and homeland.
On the shores of Xiamen, in east China's Fujian Province, he sang the song "Across That Mountain" towards the Taiwan region. His steps weave together memory and homeland, personal longing and collective heritage.
"Across the strait lies Kinmen, with Xiamen on this side. The two are very close, visible to each other across the sea. This side of the sea is my hometown, as is the other side," Guo said.
This is not just one individual's quest to understand his roots – it is a testament to the cultural memories and blood ties shared by millions on both sides of the straits.
In 2023, more than 20,000 Taiwan residents traveled to the mainland to explore their ancestral roots.
Among the 23 million people in the Taiwan region, over 95 percent are descendants of mainland migrants.
According to incomplete statistics, there are currently more than 10,000 jointly compiled genealogies across the Taiwan Straits.
Artist from Taiwan region finds his roots on Chinese mainland
