Mainland Delegation Warmly Welcomed in Taiwan

An invited delegation from mainland China arrived on the island of Taiwan on Wednesday, receiving a warm welcome from people from all walks of life. The delegation, consisting of 40 faculty and students from seven universities, will embark on a nine-day journey filled with exchange activities.

The delegation includes six-time Olympic table tennis gold medalist Ma Long and Tokyo Olympic shooting champion Yang Qian, adding to the excitement of the visit. The group was invited by the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation and will visit six universities in Taiwan, as well as a high school.

Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, expressed hope that the delegation will enjoy their time in Taiwan and that the visit will strengthen exchanges and understanding between young people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

The foundation has also arranged baseball experience activities for the mainland students, allowing them to engage with Taiwan's popular baseball culture.

This is the second such visit planned by the foundation, following a successful visit in 2023. The involvement of athletes like Ma Long and Yang Qian is expected to inject fresh energy into the exchanges and foster more shared interests.

Experts believe that these exchanges contribute to mutual understanding and recognition, facilitating mutual learning and paving the way for a return to normalcy in cross-strait relations. They also hope to see more levels, forms, and content in future youth exchanges, expanding the field and scope of interaction.