Young Taiwan compatriots visit the Urumqi Municipal Museum. Photo by Shi Yujiang
China News Service, Urumqi, February 4 (Shi Yujiang) "This is my first time to visit Xinjiang. We cherish this precious opportunity. We hope that through exchanges, visits, and experiences, we can discover the differences and similarities between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. and then integrate each other through mutual understanding." With expectations for Xinjiang, at the opening ceremony of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (hereinafter referred to as the Corps) branch camp of the National Taiwan Federation's 30th Youth Winter Camp for Taiwan Compatriots, Taiwan Sports University Student Chang Jingchun said this on behalf of more than a dozen young Taiwan compatriots who visited Xinjiang.
From January 26 to 31, more than a dozen young Taiwan compatriots were invited to participate in the 2024 All-China Taiwan Federation’s 30th Taiwan Compatriots Youth Winter Camp Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps branch camp. In the past week, we visited the representative cities of Urumqi and Shihezi. What do Xinjiang and the XPCC look like to them?
Young Taiwan compatriots took photos after visiting the Xinjiang Museum. Photo by Shi Yujiang
“Xinjiang is like poems and paintings, which makes me full of passion.”
When Wang Zhenxiang and other young Taiwan compatriots got off the plane and saw the snow-covered land, they felt novel and excited. He took off his cold jacket without hesitation and stood in the snow wearing only his blue short sleeves to take pictures. "The winter in Xinjiang is a typical northern scenery. The magnificent snow peaks under the white clouds are like poems and paintings, which makes me passionate."
Seeing the land covered with snow, the young Taiwanese people felt novel and excited. The picture shows the scenery of Nanshan in Urumqi. Photo by Shi Yujiang
After checking in, they met to go shopping, eat barbecue, and drink local beer. Eager to taste Xinjiang’s food culture.
Sitting on the moving tour bus, Chen Kaijun, a young Taiwanese man, has been looking up maps on his mobile phone using Amap. "Baidu and AutoNavi are both easy to use. We often use them to understand all kinds of information."
"I shot and made a lot of short videos of what I saw in Xinjiang and shared them with my family and friends when I went back." Chen Kaijun told a reporter from China News Service.
Chen Kaijun, who was very reserved when he first arrived in Xinjiang and remained silent in public, opened up the conversation within two days and took the initiative to exchange WeChat messages with reporters. "I think many people will fly to Xinjiang in the future and then rent cars and travel by car."
“Xinjiang has unique value in the development of Chinese and Western civilizations”
After visiting the Xinjiang Museum, Urumqi Municipal Museum, and Shihezi University Museum, young Taiwan compatriots gained a new understanding of the history of Xinjiang. "This time I came to the intersection of Chinese culture and Western culture. I personally felt that Xinjiang embodies the unique value in the development of Chinese and Western civilizations." Chang Baicheng, a young Taiwanese compatriot, said.
"My favorite is the Xinjiang Museum. In the long history of Chinese civilization, it can 'tell' the history of Xinjiang so completely. Seeing the well-preserved mummies, I think this visit is well worth it." Graduated from Soochow University in Taiwan Su Weijie said that he participated in the Taiwan Federation event in Beijing in November 2023. "This is a very good event that allows compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to have a spiritual intersection."
During a visit to the Xinjiang Intangible Cultural Heritage Research Center of Shihezi University, young Taiwan compatriots showed a strong interest in "intangible cultural heritage". Photo by Shi Yujiang
"It is said that seeing is better than hearing a hundred times. Use your own eyes and ears to see and listen. I think some Taiwanese media are a bit narrow-minded and extreme, but we young people have their own judgment. Broadening our horizons and continuous learning are the most important things. ." Su Weijie said.
"Very attentive to the protection and inheritance of 'intangible cultural heritage'"
During their visit to the Xinjiang Intangible Cultural Heritage Research Center of Shihezi University, young Taiwanese people were very interested in "intangible cultural heritage". From folk literature, traditional clothing, traditional medicine and a variety of purely handmade products, young Taiwanese people used their mobile phones to take photos and record the entire process. Video, after listening to the introduction, he will also take the initiative to ask.
"The multi-ethnic cultural heritage displayed here is very precious, rich and diverse, and it also gives us time to experience it on the spot, including pottery, stamping, paper-cutting..." Chen Kaijun said that this was an unforgettable experience in his life.
Chang Baicheng, who has been fond of Chinese culture since he was a child, advocates the sage and the way of a gentleman. Regarding this visit, he lamented that he was "completely immersed in the vast ocean of Chinese culture."
Young Taiwan compatriots perform Chinese martial arts at the closing ceremony of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps branch camp of the 30th Taiwan Youth Winter Camp of the All-China Taiwan Federation. Photo by Wu Xiaoling
"It can be seen that Xinjiang is very careful about the protection and inheritance of 'intangible cultural heritage'. This is not only the pride of the people of Xinjiang, but also the pride of Chinese civilization." Chang Baicheng also passionately poured ink on the spot and wrote a couplet, "The Spring Festival of the Year of the Dragon is approaching , I would like to express my gratitude and give it to my friends at Shihezi University."
"This is a great initiative of several generations of the Xinjiang Corps"
After visiting the Xinjiang Military Reclamation Museum, Su Weijie said he was not only shocked, but also moved. "This place has grown from scratch, from desolation to prosperity. This is a great initiative of several generations of the Xinjiang Corps."
After visiting the Xinjiang Military Reclamation Museum, young Taiwan compatriots were shocked. Photo by Shi Yujiang
"Regardless of the value orientation of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, we should understand each other from each other's perspective, share what we need through exchanges, and make our lives without regrets," Su Weijie said.
After listening to the introduction of the museum's guide, Chang Baicheng told reporters, "The builders' decades of continuous reclamation have created today's prosperous Xinjiang. Their spirit of living up to their mission is inspiring and inspires me in the future. With every challenge comes a stronger will.”
After visiting the 12th Division Industrial Park and Xinjiang Tianye Group, young Taiwan compatriots marveled at the rapid development of modern agriculture and new industrialization in the Xinjiang Corps. "Through these days of visits, we can see the determination of the Xinjiang Corps to continue to make breakthroughs and thrive." Chen Kaijun said.
During their visit to Shihezi City, young Taiwan compatriots had an exchange with Yang Rongzong, who was born in Taiwan and is now the head of Xinjiang Wangwang Food Co., Ltd.
"We go to the mainland not just to travel, see the beautiful scenery, and taste delicious food. We also need to break out of one's circle, integrate into the mainland's customs, expand our 'circle of friends', and create more and greater opportunities for our own development in the future." Tang Shengyong said , many Taiwanese young people hope to come every year after visiting the mainland.
The atmosphere of harmony and coexistence of all ethnic groups makes people feel warm
Jingxiang No. 2, Xuelixiang, Jiangyu, Xiangye, Fenyu... After visiting and tasting greenhouse strawberries of different flavors in the 12th Division Industrial Park, Xu Shiqi, a Taiwanese college student currently studying journalism at Jinan University in Guangzhou, said, " This variety of Pink Jade actually tastes like honey, it’s so delicious!”
Entering Xinjiang Tianrun Dairy Co., Ltd., the indoor air is filled with the rich fragrance of milk. The young Taiwanese people visited the production process of various dairy products with great interest. "The taste is so pure, it's different from what we usually drink." After tasting a yogurt, Su Weijie, who was visiting the mainland for the fourth time, sighed, "The people in Xinjiang are really warm."
Young Taiwanese people visited Xinjiang Tianrun Dairy Co., Ltd. and praised the dairy products after tasting them. Photo by Shi Yujiang
Why did Jiuwan Sanxingzi get its name? Why is the chicken plate so big? Why did Borsac break up the mixed vegetables to eat? During the dinner, the young Taiwanese compatriots were full of curiosity about the Xinjiang specialties on the table. They said, "The taste is unique and the portion is solid."
"The in-depth visits over the past few days have given me a clearer understanding of this land, including the food and dances of various ethnic groups here. The atmosphere of harmony and coexistence of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang makes people feel warm." Tang Shengyong told reporters. (over)