A young vlogger from China's Taiwan has emerged as a popular content creator in the bustling southwestern Chinese metropolis of Chongqing with her visual storytelling helping connect audiences across both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Yang Ching-ju, who comes from Taiwan's Taichung, documents cultural tourism experience across the mountainous city, and particularly draws attention to the similarities in culture and customs shared by Chongqing and Taiwan in her vlog posts.
Aside her own family ties, Yang says the connection between Chongqing and Taiwan runs very deep, and believes many visitors from Taiwan experience a sense of inexplicable closeness when they come to Chongqing.
"I think Chongqing is a very fiery and passionate city. As everyone knows, the Liberation Monument here has always been a spiritual stronghold for the people of Chongqing. It involves historical events such as the Bombing of Chongqing by Japanese invaders during World War II. This is also a kind of tenacity deeply rooted in the bones of the Chongqing people," she said.
Yang has achieved huge success and gained a sizable following through her videos, and is now also running businesses in Chongqing, helping to share the cultural and products of the city more widely.
"I have a large number of viewers. With it, we can do a lot of things. For instance, we can promote products and earn some income from advertising. Additionally, we can create personal IP. I can collaborate with many industries related to tourism and culture," she said.
Admitting that there were problems reaching some viewers, Yang emphasized the need to increase communication between the two sides of the Strait.
"I think a large number of views is truly a double-edged sword. Actually, I'm quite afraid of it. There will definitely be some so-called 'dark fans' or those whose stance might be a little bit more extreme. I often received messages saying you just stay in the mainland since you think it is so good. A friend in Taiwan said to me that 'you are lying for this is clearly the night view of Hong Kong. Why did you tell me it's the night view of Chongqing?' The biggest problem between the two sides now might be a lack of communication. There are many who support me from both sides. So, I become even more determined to do this," she said.
Yang also attributed part of her success to what she described as the mainland people's 'natural curiosity' and 'closeness' to their Taiwan compatriots. She also says a big part of her drive comes from her roots in Sichuan, which Chongqing was administratively part of before becoming a municipality in the 1990s.
"My ancestral home is Anyue in Sichuan Province. My grandfather came back from Taiwan to develop business in Chongqing. I actually have quite a bit of regret now because I didn't ask him about the past in details. He returned to his hometown in his 70s. I have always said that Chongqing is my second hometown," she said.
"I believe that I have witnessed its fastest development over the past 10 to 15 years. Apart from the fact that I think Chongqing is great, I think it's more about sentiment. It's about my grandparents' generation. Since they decided to develop here at that time, they only recognized that their roots were here. I feel that I must continue to pass on this spirit," Yang added.
Taiwan vlogger bridges cross-Strait gaps with popular cultural vlogs in Chongqing
