【 Qingting · Cross Strait 】 The Common Choice of Three Taiwanese Teachers: "We All Stay in Mainland China as Teachers" Zhong Zhenzhong | Teacher | Choice

Upon arriving on the mainland, they witnessed the rapid development and progress of their motherland, made new friends, consolidated new emotions, and felt the enthusiasm and warmth of their compatriots. They are the "communicators" of cross-strait integration and development, and the "disseminators" of positive energy. The voices of youth from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, we listen together. China News Network has launched a special integrated media program called "Listening to Youth Across the Taiwan Strait" to jointly record the true voices of youth on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Beijing, September 10th (Xinhua) - By chance, I ventured into the mainland, discovered and overcame teaching differences, and now I have settled in the mainland for many years. Many Taiwanese teachers are embarking on an increasingly smooth path of landing.

On Teacher's Day, Chen Wencheng, a teacher from the Department of Physical Education and Research at Peking University, Zhong Zhenzhong, a teacher from Zhejiang Industry and Trade Vocational and Technical College, and Chen Yajiu, the deputy principal of the Second Experimental Kindergarten in Pingtan, Fujian, along with three Taiwanese teachers, visited the "Qingting Cross Strait" column of China News Network and shared their stories of "landing on land" to become teachers.

Three Taiwanese teachers guest on the China News Network's "Qing Ting Cross Strait" program. Photo by Li Peiyun, journalist from China News Agency

"You must come to the mainland for a lifetime to explore."

In 2010, Chen Wencheng, who was still studying for his undergraduate degree, participated in the cross-strait "Jingqi Tuan" cycling activity and rode around Taiwan for 9 days and 8 nights with teachers and students from Peking University. It was also at this time that Chen Wencheng learned about the development and changes in mainland China in recent years.

In 2011, there was a lively exchange between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, and Chen Wencheng felt that "life can have some different development". Therefore, he picked up his backpack and went to Beijing Sport University to pursue a master's and doctoral degree. In 2018, Chen Wencheng came to Peking University to pursue a postdoctoral degree, and later stayed on to work, step by step. He is now a mature teacher in the Sports Teaching and Research Department of Peking University.

Unlike Chen Wencheng's experience of studying and staying in mainland China, after working in Taiwan for a period of time, Zhong Zhenzhong wanted to switch his career path. He went to consult with his university teacher, who recommended him to become a teacher in Wenzhou. Coupled with the company leader's statement "you must come to mainland China for a lifetime to explore", Zhong Zhenzhong was reassured to "land".

Chen Yaping. I provide pictures

Speaking of the reasons for being a teacher in mainland China, Chen Yaqiang's experience is somewhat surreal. An invitation phone call brought Chen Yaqiang, who was young and wanted to explore and meet more people, to Pingtan, Fujian. She has been staying in Pingtan as a teacher for almost seven years now.

"There are similarities and differences, but they are all rooted in Chinese culture."

When coming to mainland China to become a teacher, one inevitably faces some differences, such as teaching vocabulary, speaking accent, and communication methods with parents.

However, in the eyes of the three Taiwanese teachers, these "minor issues" are all easy to overcome. "Chinese people are very emotional, willing to show kindness and dedication, and students will definitely feel it," Chen Yaqiang shared in the program. "There are similarities and differences, but both sides are rooted in Chinese culture," said Chen Wencheng.

Chen Wencheng is a guest in the "QingTing Cross Strait" program of China News Network. Photo by Li Peiyun, journalist from China News Agency

When it comes to Teacher's Day, the three teachers also shared their holiday experiences. Warm and sacred is Chen Wencheng's greatest feeling about Teacher's Day. He and his mainland wife, who are also teachers, spent the holiday together, enjoying "double happiness". On Teacher's Day, Teacher Zhong Zhenzhong will receive many holiday greetings from students via WeChat.

For Chen Yaqiang, every day spent with children is her Teacher's Day.

Taiwan's Teacher's Day falls on September 28th, which is also the anniversary of Confucius' birth. On that day, a grand Confucius worship event will be held on the island of Taiwan. Zhong Zhenzhong shared that "both sides of the Taiwan Strait are Chinese, with the same roots and roots, and are deeply influenced by Confucianism. Respecting teachers and valuing the way has always been a virtue of the Chinese people.". "Although the days of Teacher's Day on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are different, the meaning behind this culture is the same," Chen Wencheng also agrees with Zhong Zhenzhong's viewpoint.

"More exchanges between teachers from both sides of the Taiwan Strait to do more for the next generation"

In recent years, Taiwan has faced the impact of "fewer children" and many schools have had to shut down, making it difficult for young scholars in Taiwan to find teaching positions.

"Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude to the Chinese mainland for their great kindness." When it comes to becoming a teacher in mainland China, Chen Yajiu believes that "all of us can develop here with more peace of mind. The welcome and support from the mainland are the most crucial.".

"I went to Beijing to study in 2011, and then stayed on for my master's, doctoral, and postdoctoral studies all the way. The problems I faced were gradually being solved." Chen Wencheng said that since the introduction of the "31 measures to benefit Taiwan" in 2018, he has successfully applied for a credit card, and during his postdoctoral period, his unit has also paid five insurances and one fund for him.

Zhong Zhenzhong's entrepreneurial project. I provide pictures

With the support of the school and various local forces, Zhong Zhenzhong has also embarked on his entrepreneurial journey. In 2015, the school attempted to incorporate robots as one of its courses in cooperative education. Inspired by this, Zhong Zhenzhong founded a training institution in Wenzhou, using LEGO robots as teaching materials and designing courses for himself. Over the years, hundreds of local children have experienced the joy of robot programming here. In the future, Zhong Zhenzhong hopes to gradually establish a large-scale cross-strait robot competition, inviting excellent teams from all over Taiwan or those who are playing well to compete in mainland China.

Chen Wencheng, who loves running marathons, has witnessed the changes in Beijing with his footsteps for many years. In the future, he wants to go from being taken care of to serving others; "More exchanges between teachers from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and doing more for the next generation" is Chen Yaping's simple expectation; Using his own resources to promote cross-strait youth exchanges and demonstrate to the outside world that working in mainland China can be very enjoyable is what Zhong Zhenzhong has been doing.

They all choose to stay in mainland China as teachers; They all set an example for cross-strait exchanges.

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