China Daily:

Fujian and Taiwan share the same roots. May I inquire about the specific measures and plans in place to enhance social and cultural exchanges between Fujian and Taiwan, foster youth interactions, and promote cultural integration? Thank you.

Luo Dongchuan:

Thank you for your question. Fujian and Taiwan are bonded by deep historical connections and shared lineage. We have vibrant interactions in the realms of culture, youth exchange, and cultural integration. The guidance further bolsters support in these areas.

First, we have been expanding Fujian-Taiwan social and cultural exchanges. Sharing bonds among local village communities, engaging in rapport-building conversations, and visiting ancestral temples have always been cherished practices among the people of both Fujian and Taiwan. There are 280 pairs of villages in Fujian and Taiwan sharing the same names and origins. In Taiwan, there are more than 2,000 temples dedicated to deities like Mazu, Kaizhang Shengwang, Baosheng Emperor, and Guandi, having their ancestral temples located in Fujian. Fujian has consistently held events such as the Straits Forum and other people-to-people exchange events to facilitate visits, ancestral worship, and kinship interactions for Taiwan compatriots coming to Fujian. Since the start of this year, over 20,000 Taiwan compatriots have come to Fujian for visits, exchanges, and ancestral pilgrimages. The guidance actively responds to the aspirations of Taiwan compatriots to resume civil religion and folk custom exchanges. Its proposes support for normalized exchanges between various non-governmental organizations from both sides, and stresses the need to implement projects that trace the historical roots of Fujian-Taiwan relations and conduct Fujian-Taiwan family tree alignments, and a variety of religion and folk custom exchange activities. Recently, Alex Tsai from Taiwan discovered that his family tree in Taiwan matches exactly that in Quanzhou, Fujian province. We also encourage religious figures and other people from Taiwan to come to Fujian for short-term study. Moreover, we support exchanges and cooperation between Buddhist and Taoist communities in Fujian and Taiwan.

Second, we have been promoting exchanges and interactions between young people from Fujian and Taiwan. There are an increasing number of exchanges between the young generations of both sides, with more and more young people from Taiwan choosing to develop their careers on the mainland. Focusing on the needs of Taiwan's youths, Fujian has launched flagship exchange events such as the Straits Youth Day and the Straits Youth Forum. This year, we have also organized baseball and cycling competitions, street dance and basketball events, and other engaging, interactive, and enjoyable activities popular among the youth from both sides. We support exchanges and mutual learning between young people from Fujian and Taiwan. The guidance focuses on providing a broad platform for young people from both sides to showcase their talents and co-create their future. It encourages young people from Taiwan to come to Fujian for exchanges, proposes the establishment of regular exchange channels between youth groups from various fields and industries in Fujian and Taiwan, promotes cooperation in youth-specific sports like baseball and softball, strengthens the construction of employment and entrepreneurship platforms for the youth from both sides of the Taiwan Straits, and supports Taiwan's youth in seeking, pursuing, and realizing their dreams in Fujian so that young people of both sides grow closer, foster bonds, and strengthen ties through these exchanges.

In our work, we've encountered many admirable young individuals from Taiwan. Notably, these young people have spent years participating in the rural revitalization endeavor on the Chinese mainland, contributing to significant transformations in some relatively underdeveloped villages. The local villagers treat these young people from Taiwan as their own children. It's touching for Taiwan youths that when they hear familial terms like "Ah Ma" that sound quite familiar to them. These young individuals from Taiwan are incredibly resilient and hard-working, setting an example for the mainland youths.

Third, we have promoted integrated cultural development. The cultures of Fujian and Taiwan have shared lineage. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, a large number of people from Fujian migrated to Taiwan. Taiwan's attire, food, customs, and popular culture, such as Nanyin and Gaojia Opera, all have their roots in Fujian. I have read historical records saying that after Fujian became a province, the first contingent of soldiers that was dispatched to Taiwan hailed from Quanzhou and Zhangzhou in Fujian. In recent years, anchored by the shared cultural legacy of Fujian and Taiwan, Fujian has organized events like the Hakka Mid-Autumn Festival Gala, Hokkien Song Contest, and various cultural and academic exchange activities, consistently broadening and deepening the cultural integration between Fujian and Taiwan. The guidance encourages compatriots from both Fujian and Taiwan to jointly promote Chinese culture, safeguard its inheritance, and stimulate its innovative development. The guidance proposes the creation of more platforms for cultural industry cooperation, encourages Taiwan's cultural entrepreneurs to invest and establish businesses, looks to create pilot programs allowing Taiwan enterprises to set up radio and television program production and operation companies in Fujian, supports the joint production of films and TV programs. The guidance also encourages Taiwan compatriots to apply for the title — provincial-level inheritors of intangible cultural heritage in Fujian, jointly undertake actions to protect intangible cultural heritage, and spare no effort to promote the integrated development of culture across the Strait. In Fuzhou, many young Taiwanese have already been recognized as inheritors of intangible cultural heritage. I believe that there is immense potential in these policy measures, which will offer a stage for Taiwan compatriots, including young people, to give full play to their talents.

In conclusion, I believe that the aforementioned exchanges will be welcomed by compatriots from both sides of the Straits and are bound to yield positive outcomes. Thank you.