Cross-Strait exchange event in Sichuan highlights shared cultural roots, bonds

Over 600 experts, scholars, teachers, and students from both sides of the Taiwan Strait gathered on Saturday in Zitong County in southern China to pay tribute to Wenchang Dijun, the God of Literature cherished by both sides, in a cultural exchange event to celebrate their shared cultural roots and bonds.

The cross-Strait Wenchang cultural exchange event, co-hosted by the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, the Taiwan Affairs Office of Sichuan provincial government, and the Mianyang Municipal People's Government, seeks to use this shared cultural heritage as a bridge to foster mutual understanding and deepen exchanges and cooperation between compatriots across the Strait.

A series of activities will take place during the event, including a thematic forum on Wenchang culture, and economic and trade exchange programs. As a prelude, an award ceremony for the 2026 "Wenchang Cup" cross-Strait youth short video competition was held on Friday night.

Since its debut in 2011, the cross-Strait Wenchang cultural exchange event has now reached its eighth edition in Zitong County. It has grown into a key platform for fostering cross-Strait integration, driving sustained cooperation in fields including culture, science and technology, education, and trade, while strengthening the bonds of kinship between people on both sides of the Strait.

Zitong County, located in Mianyang City, Sichuan Province, is widely regarded as the birthplace of Wenchang culture and home to the earliest temple built in honor of Wenchang Dijun, a revered deity in Taoism.

Shaped by centuries of folk worship to this deity, Wenchang culture represents a synthesis of traditional Chinese thought -- rooted in Confucian values, drawing its spiritual essence from Taoism, and enriched by Buddhist influences.

Across the Taiwan Strait, Wenchang culture is more than just a folk belief. It serves as a living embodiment of core Chinese values, including respect for teachers and reverence for education.

Cross-Strait exchange event in Sichuan highlights shared cultural roots, bonds

Chinese President Xi Jinping awarded Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic the Friendship Medal of the People's Republic of China in Beijing on Monday.

As solemn music played and the golden doors slowly opened, Xi and Vucic entered the hall together, followed by Xi's wife Peng Liyuan and Vucic's wife Tamara Vucic.

Applauding guests rose to their feet, and paid respect to the two heads of state.

A Guard of Honor escorted the Friendship Medal into the hall, and amid solemn music, Xi formally presented the medal to Vucic.

Xi highlighted Vucic's long-standing commitment to advancing China-Serbia friendship and underscored the significance of the honor.

"President Vucic has long stayed committed to China-Serbia friendship, and he has always given China the firmest and clearest support on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns. He gains the respect from the Chinese people. This medal is not only a high recognition of President Vucic's contributions to bilateral friendship, but also carries the earnest expectations of both peoples for building a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era," Xi said.

The Friendship Medal is China's highest state honor for foreigners, reserved for those who have made outstanding contributions to China's modernization drive, promoting exchange and cooperation between China and the world, and safeguarding world peace.

At the invitation of Xi, Vucic is on a state visit to China from Sunday to Thursday, with this marking his first state visit to China and his ninth trip to the country overall.

Xi awards Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic China's friendship medal