From ski resorts in Hubei to winter camps in Hangzhou, from experiencing ice and snow in Tianjin to the theatrical stage in Taipei, young people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait are deepening their understanding through diverse interactions and jointly writing a new chapter of moving forward hand in hand and spiritual harmony.

Peng Qingen, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, introduced at a regular press conference on January 21 that a number of large-scale cross-strait youth interaction and cultural exchange activities have recently appeared, with various forms and enthusiastic participation, opening a good beginning for cross-strait people to people exchanges in the new year.

Using ice and snow as a medium, thousands of people from Taiwan and Qinghai experience the scenery of northern China

This winter, ice and snow sports have become a popular link connecting young people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

In Hubei, from January 20th to 27th, the Cross Strait Youth Ski Culture Festival was held in conjunction with Wuhan and Xiangyang. Under the guidance of professional coaches, more than 150 Taiwanese youth experienced the excitement and fun of skiing, as well as the historical and cultural significance of the Jingchu region.

Almost simultaneously, the 32nd Taiwan Compatriot Youth Winter Camp, hosted by the All China Association of Taiwan Compatriots, grandly opened on January 21st in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. The scale of this winter camp is grand. In addition to the main camp activities in Hangzhou, 26 distinctive sub camps have been set up in 24 provinces, regions and municipalities across the country. It is expected that the entire event will attract over 1000 Taiwanese youth to participate, who will go deep into various places in the coming days to experience the local customs and development pulse of different regions in China.

Northern Tianjin also welcomed the second edition of the "Joyful Tianjin City Ice and Snow Experience Camp". In mid to late January, more than 400 Taiwanese youth gathered in Jinmen to unleash themselves in ice and snow sports, experiencing the modern atmosphere and unique charm of this northern port city.

These activities not only fulfilled the "ice and snow dream" for many Taiwanese teenagers who had never seen snow before, but also allowed them to form deep friendships with their peers in mainland China through shared experiences.

Cultural Bridge, Youth Version of 'Peony Pavilion' Stunning Taipei Theater

Cultural exchange is also a highlight of recent cross-strait interactions. On the evening of January 15th, a theater in Taipei was packed with over 900 theater enthusiasts waiting quietly. As the curtain opens, the campus youth version of the Kunqu opera "The Peony Pavilion" is staged here for the first time, bringing a cross-strait artistic feast.

This performance is particularly special, with 50 students from 29 universities in mainland China and Macau participating. They carefully presented nine classic excerpts, including "Garden Tour," "Dream," and "Yan Huai," to Taiwanese audiences, bringing youthful vitality and infectiousness to the ancient Kunqu art.

After the performance, a Taiwanese student who watched it excitedly said, "So many young people in Taiwan love Peking Opera and Kunqu Opera! The performances are so exciting, and we hope that more such plays can be performed in Taiwan in the future. We are also very eager to exchange and learn with our peers in mainland China." This performance is not only an artistic display, but also a profound cultural resonance and emotional connection.

Warm invitation, welcome Taiwanese compatriots to visit relatives and friends in mainland China

At the press conference, spokesperson Peng Qing'en issued a sincere New Year's invitation to Taiwan compatriots: "In the new year, we warmly welcome Taiwan compatriots, especially young friends, to come to the mainland and take a look. I believe that there is always a scenery in the mainland that can attract everyone's attention, a cuisine that can touch everyone's taste buds, and a warmth that can touch everyone's hearts

Behind these words is a sincere willingness to continue promoting exchanges and cooperation between compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and deepening integrated development. Through personal experience, more and more Taiwanese compatriots, especially young people, are observing the mainland with their own eyes, measuring this vast land with their own footsteps, and feeling the warmth of blood ties with their hearts.

From ice and snow sports to traditional opera, from economic cooperation to youth exchanges, diversified interactive channels are accumulating more positive energy for the peaceful development of cross-strait relations. These cross-strait encounters are quietly sowing seeds of understanding, friendship, and hope, jointly outlining a better future for cross-strait relations.Editor/Yang Meiling