About 20 years ago, Tsai Chih-kuan traveled from Taiwan to the mainland to attend a Winter Camp for Taiwan Youth. Now the president of the Zhejiang Association in Taipei, Taiwan, which draws together residents of Taipei with heritage in or connections with the mainland province of Zhejiang, he has dedicated himself to promoting cross-Taiwan Straits economic, trade, and cultural exchange. "I feel an inexplicable sense of excitement," Tsai said, addressing the many Taiwan youth at the opening ceremony of the 31st Winter Camp for Taiwan Youth, held at the Beijing Film Academy on January 14.

The All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots (ACFTC) is hosting the program from January 13 to the end of February, with more than 1,000 Taiwan youth participating in the main camp and sub-camps in 17 different province-level regions to promote exchange and mutual understanding. The federation was founded in 1981 and consists of Taiwan compatriots living on the mainland.

"The winter camp is an important platform for the members to understand the mainland, broaden their horizons, establish a correct view of history, and cultivate a deep sense of national identity," Tsai said, adding that through a variety of interactive activities, many young people from both sides of the Taiwan Straits have met and gotten to know each other.

Tsai also expressed the hope that with more and diversified cross-Straits exchange programs, the youth on both sides can deepen mutual understanding and jointly create a better future.

Around 300 Taiwan youth attended the opening ceremony and gala, with members of sub-camps across various regions watching the events online in real time.

Building understanding

In the past two years, the ice and snow culture of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province has gained widespread popularity. It is particularly attractive to Taiwan youth because ice and snow are rare on the island. This year, the winter camp has sub-camps in Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces, as well as Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous regions, where ice and snow are abundant. "They have generated tremendous appeal among the youth from Taiwan. The number of members signing up has been very high," Ren Hui, head of the Liaison Department of the ACFTC, told the media ahead of the opening ceremony.

Chen Tsung-hsien, who is participating in the sub-camp in Shanxi Province, was immediately impressed by the state-of-the-art municipal infrastructure upon arriving on the mainland and the warmth and hospitality of the people they met there. What he looked forward to the most were the upcoming winter sports events. "I already have my ski boots and thick coat ready, and am eager to show off my skills on the slopes," he told Beijing Review during a group interview.

"It's my first time here. I am also looking forward to go skiing during the trip in Beijing," Kang Hsin-ping, a student who studies sports management at Fu Jen Catholic University, a private university in Taiwan, told Beijing Review. Beijing is well-equipped for winter tourism, home to many famous ski resorts. Kang was also excited about the scheduled dinner of Beijing duck, also known as Peking duck, which is the most famous and one of the most delicious local foods.

Tsai Wan-yu, Kang's friend who studies medicine and health sciences at the same university, is also visiting the mainland for the first time. "Here, I can learn about the world-class Peking University and many other historical sites," the 22-year-old told Beijing Review. "The camp provides us with an opportunity to explore."

Before hearing about and applying for the program, the two women only accessed information about the mainland through social media. During the activity, they only need to pay for round-trip tickets between Taiwan and Beijing and for their insurance. The Taiwan compatriots associations in each province or region hosting the camp's events cover local expenses.

Tsai Shang-lin, a postgraduate student from Fu Jen Catholic University, attended the camp for the second time. Last year, he told Beijing Review that he has an extensive interest in culture and history and felt very excited to visit Beijing in person.

This year, he spoke on behalf of the members at the opening ceremony and expressed the hope to learn more about the mainland this time. "We look forward to the opportunity for Taiwan youth to more deeply understand outstanding Chinese traditional culture and to engage in meaningful exchanges with our peers from universities on the mainland," Tsai Shang-lin said. "We hope to gain both friendship and personal growth through academic exchanges and cultural experiences."

"Over the next few days, we will experience the rich history of the Chinese nation and explore the development of cutting-edge technology and innovation alongside Taiwan youth," Ding Yuehan, a representative of mainland volunteers for the camp and a student majoring in film marketing at the Beijing Film Academy, said at the opening ceremony. She added that she hopes that through exploring together the history, culture, and technology in the mainland, young people from both sides of the Taiwan Straits can engage in sincere exchange, enhance mutual understanding, deepen friendship, and jointly contribute to a bright future for cross-Straits relations.

Cross-Straits platform 

"We hope the winter camp will help young people from both sides of the Taiwan Straits engage in mutual exchange, deepen their mutual understanding, and become good friends and partners. Together, they can promote the peaceful and integrated development of cross-Straits relations," Zheng Jianmin, President of the ACFTC, said at the opening ceremony.

During this program, the members will participate in site visits and cultural exchange events, experience profound historical and cultural heritage in different regions, and enjoy ice and snow activities.

First launched in 1989, the winter camp has been attended by more than 8,000 young Taiwan residents over past 30 editions, according to the ACFTC. This year's participants are mostly from universities in Taiwan, and over 50 percent have come to the mainland for the first time.

Over the past 40 years, the ACFTC has carried out numerous cross-Straits exchange activities and related programs. "Specifically, we have focused on promoting exchange and interactions between the youth of both sides, as they are the most important driving force for the healthy and stable development of cross-Straits relations. Young people are the future of the country," Ren said.

(Print Edition Title: A Warm Winter Welcome) 

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson 

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