Cross-Strait Youth Ride Together: 2024 Grand Canal Cycling Event in Tianjin and Shandong
By Sun Lingling, China News Service, September 1, 2024
The One Family Across the Strait 2024 Cross-Strait Youth Grand Canal Cycling Event was successfully held in Tianjin and Shandong from August 25 to 31. A delegation of 51 teachers and students from eight universities in Taiwan, including China Culture University, Ming Shin University of Science and Technology, Lung Hwa University of Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, and Tamkang University, participated in the event.
During the event, the Taiwanese youth visited historical sites such as the North China Museum, Tai’erzhuang Ancient City, Tai’erzhuang Campaign Memorial Hall, Confucius Temple, Confucius Mansion, Confucius Museum, Daming Lake, Baotu Spring, the Wusan Massacre Memorial Hall, and Kuanhouli. They also took a boat ride on the Haihe River to enjoy the night view of Tianjin city. Through these activities, they deepened their understanding of the Chinese mainland, fostering consensus and strengthening friendships.
The Grand Canal culture is an integral part of the excellent traditional Chinese culture. Known as half of the history of China, the Grand Canal connects the north and south geographically and spans ancient and modern times spiritually, forming a continuous Chinese cultural heritage. The participants cycled along the banks of the North Grand Canal in Wuqing District and in Tai’erzhuang Ancient City, experiencing the profound and enduring history and culture of China. They also enjoyed the beauty of static arts such as calligraphy, painting fans, and ancient architecture, as well as the dynamic inheritance of intangible cultural heritage like Li-style Tai Chi. By making lacquer fans and lanterns, they felt the organic integration of traditional Chinese crafts and cultural elements. Writing the theme One Family Across the Strait with brushes, they experienced the cultural heritage that both sides of the Strait share.
At Tianjin Foreign Studies University and Jinan University, young people from both sides of the Strait formed pairs to study, visit, and tour together. When it was time to part, they were reluctant to leave, promising to meet again.
On the afternoon of August 30, a symposium was held at the Student Activity Center of Tianjin Foreign Studies University.靳凡, Director of the Tianjin Office of Taiwan Affairs, stated that young people from both sides of the Strait should share the mission of youth, take on the responsibility of national rejuvenation, and promote Chinese culture. They should feel the beauty, grandeur, and excellence of the motherland and strive for the country and the nation. He emphasized that young people from both sides should use their youthful strength, think independently, and enhance their judgment. Hearing is one thing, seeing is another, he said, urging them to promote cross-strait relations towards a stable and prosperous future. He also stressed the importance of fostering brotherly feelings, as both sides share the same roots, culture, and aspirations. Young people from both sides should visit each other frequently, just like family members.
The event was jointly organized by the Tianjin Association for Cross-Strait People-to-People Exchange, the Shandong Association for Cross-Strait Economic and Cultural Development, and the Tianjin Association for the Revitalization of Rural Culture.
The One Family Across the Strait event is not just a cycling activity; it is a platform for young people from both sides of the Strait to connect, understand, and learn from each other. It serves as a bridge to strengthen the cultural and emotional bonds between young people, fostering a sense of unity and shared identity. As the participants cycled through the Grand Canal, they were not just traversing a waterway; they were also traveling through the rich tapestry of Chinese history and culture, creating memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.
The success of this event highlights the importance of cross-strait exchanges in promoting mutual understanding and friendship. It demonstrates the power of culture in bringing people together and the potential of young people to contribute to the development of cross-strait relations. As the participants said their goodbyes, they carried with them the hope and expectation of future gatherings, symbolizing the enduring bond between the two sides of the Strait.
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