Their first stop to Taiwan: TSMC teachers and students | mainland | Taiwan
On July 15th, a delegation of teachers and students from mainland universities arrived in Taiwan, visiting Hsinchu TSMC as their first stop. Olympic champion Ding Ning, who visited with the delegation, expressed in an interview that she is looking forward to the upcoming itinerary and likes Chinese pastries such as mochi.
Previously reported:
What is the significance of the visits of teachers and students from five mainland universities to Taiwan?
On July 11th, according to a report by Taiwan's Central News Agency, the Taiwan authorities invited Lu Sheng to Taiwan for exchange through the Ma Ying jeou Foundation.
On the 11th, the Taiwan Immigration Department, together with relevant agencies, jointly reviewed the case of the Ma Ying jeou Cultural and Educational Foundation inviting mainland students to visit Taiwan. After a joint review committee resolution, the case agreed to allow mainland students and teachers to visit Taiwan.
Relevant personnel also pointed out that the joint review meeting agreed to the case because mainland degree students, exchange students, and short-term training students have been gradually opened to come to Taiwan after the epidemic, and they are optimistic about the healthy and orderly exchange and positive interaction between teachers and students from both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
On the evening of the 11th, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office, stated in an interview with reporters that at the end of March and beginning of April this year, Mr. Ma Ying jeou led a delegation to visit the mainland to pay respects to his ancestors. During the exchange and discussion with teachers and students from three universities, including Wuhan University, Hunan University, and Fudan University, he repeatedly expressed his hope that teachers and students from mainland universities can also visit Taiwan for exchanges. At the invitation of the Ma Ying jeou Cultural and Educational Foundation, Comrade Hao Ping, Secretary of the Party Committee of Peking University, plans to lead 36 teachers and students from five mainland universities, including Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Wuhan University, and Hunan University, to Taiwan for exchanges from July 15th to 23rd. During my stay in Taiwan, I will exchange ideas with universities such as National Taiwan University, National Chengchi University, Chinese Culture University, and Donghua University, and visit counties and cities such as Taipei, Taichung, New Taipei, Hsinchu, and Hualien.
Chen Binhua said that this visit is the first time mainland universities have organized a delegation to Taiwan for exchanges in more than three years, which is of positive significance for promoting the resumption of two-way exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits.We support and encourage young people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait to strengthen exchanges, enhance understanding, learn from each other, and work together to create a bright future.
Connect students from both sides of the Taiwan Strait through various means
Pengpai News reporters have noticed that many netizens have asked why the Ma Ying jeou Cultural and Educational Foundation has invited teachers and students from five mainland universities, Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Wuhan University, and Hunan University, to Taiwan for exchange?
In fact, when Ma Ying-jeou visited the mainland at the end of March and early April this year and led 30 Taiwanese students to communicate with Fudan University, Wuhan University, and Hunan University, he invited mainland students to pay a return visit.
According to a previous report by Xinhua News Agency, on March 27th, Ma Ying jeou embarked on his first trip to mainland China. In recent days, in addition to returning to his hometown to pay respects to his ancestors and revisit history, he also led young Taiwanese students to visit three mainland universities. Students from both sides of the Taiwan Strait had warm face-to-face exchanges, discussing their study life and dreams, which became a major highlight of this trip. During the exchange event, Ma Ying jeou expressed the hope that young people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait can have more contact, exchange and understand each other, deepen friendship, gradually integrate together, and build a better future together.
On March 30th, the first cross-strait youth student exchange event was held at Wuhan University. During his exchange summary at Wuhan University, Ma Ying jeou stated the need to restore and expand exchanges, develop innovative projects, and connect students from both sides of the Taiwan Strait through various means.
On April 2nd, Ma Ying jeou and his delegation arrived at Hunan University on the banks of the Xiang River, experiencing the continuous cultural heritage of the Millennium Academy at the foot of the Yuelu Mountain, and entering the National Supercomputing Changsha Center to have a discussion with students from Hunan University.
"Can you understand me when I speak Hunan dialect?" Ma Ying jeou answered a question from a student at Hunan University in his local dialect. "Both sides of the Taiwan Strait share the same language and culture, and both sides adhere to the One China stance, which is very important.". I hope to work hard to reduce barriers and engage in sincere communication under such circumstances. To make young people aware in their youth that they need to move in this direction, let the new forces continue to push this work forward.
On April 6th, Ma Ying jeou and Taiwanese young students came to Fudan University to complete the last cross-strait youth symposium on their trip to the mainland.
In his introduction, Ma Ying jeou stated that promoting exchanges between young people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait is the most urgent task for our generation. It is natural for young friends from both sides of the Taiwan Strait to communicate and integrate naturally. Students from both sides of the Taiwan Strait are concerned about their own issues and are very interested in the development of Chinese culture on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. We should promote closer exchanges between young people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and help them solve practical concerns. The sun and moon shine brightly, and on the day of Fudan, we hope that young people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait can rely on themselves, work hard, and strive for peace and rejuvenation of China.
To achieve peace, development, exchange, and cooperation
On June 8th, Xiao Xucen, Executive Director of the Ma Ying jeou Foundation, announced that Ma Ying jeou has invited a total of 50 students from five mainland universities, including Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Wuhan University, and Hunan University. Accompanied by his professor, he plans to visit Taiwan in mid July this year to exchange ideas with five universities on the island and visit famous scenic spots and historical sites.
Xiao Xucen said that at a time when cross-strait relations are tense, if students from mainland universities can visit, listen to the voices of the people in Taiwan on the spot, and understand the real situation in Taiwan, it will help ease cross-strait tensions and convey more messages of goodwill and peace.
The visiting delegation of these five mainland universities is expected to last for 9 days and 8 nights, with exchanges with universities on the island such as Taiwan University, Chengchi University, and Chinese Culture University. The itinerary will also arrange visits to Sun Moon Lake, Taroko Pavilion, as well as Taipei Dadaocheng, Jiufen Heping Creek and other places, so that students can have a deeper understanding of Taiwan, "bringing the beautiful side of Taiwan back to the mainland, and promoting the peaceful development of cross-strait relations."
According to a previous poll conducted by the Taiwan Mainland Affairs Council, over 80% of the public supports the gradual resumption of healthy and orderly exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. Li Dawei, Chairman of the Straits Foundation, also stated that with the easing of the epidemic, now is a crucial moment to promote the resumption of normal exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. Xiao Xucen stated that as a private organization, the Ma Ying jeou Foundation is willing to fully assist the Taiwan authorities in promoting cross-strait relations and allowing people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to resume normal exchanges as soon as possible.
"The over 200000 mainland Chinese students and the 10000 to 20000 Taiwanese students born in recent years are like ambassadors of goodwill between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. If more young people from both sides become good friends, it will be helpful in promoting mutual understanding and easing cross-strait relations." The editorial said, "Let's start by encouraging more young people from both sides to read and live together."!
However, on June 8th, Xiao Xucen, Executive Director of the Ma Ying jeou Foundation, stated that the invitation to the Taiwan Mainland Affairs Council seems to have a "reserved intention", and even suggested privately that the foundation should not send packages, saying "it won't go too far".
In response, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office, Zhu Fenglian, stated at a regular press conference on June 14th that she hopes the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities will face the wishes and needs of youth on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, lift all unreasonable restrictions on cross-strait exchanges and cooperation, no more artificial obstacles, no fear of cross-strait youth exchanges and exchanges, and no disappointment or coldness among students.
Zhu Fenglian pointed out that peace, development, exchange, and cooperation are the common aspirations of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, including young people on both sides, and are in line with the common interests of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Strengthening exchanges and exchanges between young people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait can add new strength and inject youthful vitality into the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, which is a good thing. We are pleased to see and support young people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to strengthen exchanges and interactions, enhance mutual understanding, deepen friendship, work together to promote peaceful development of cross-strait relations, and work together towards the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.