Mainland camp lures youth from Taiwan

After visiting the Foguang Temple and Nanchan Temple in Shanxi — among the few surviving Tang Dynasty (618-907) temple buildings in China — An Wei-lun, a student from Taiwan studying at Peking University, said he learned about the architectural structures and the statues of Buddhas inside, and he gained insight into the development of the Chinese nation with its rich cultural heritage.

"I can see the cultural confidence of the Tang Dynasty a thousand years ago," he said.

Despite learning about the history of the temples in classrooms, he said that he was truly moved when he visited the sites and saw the buildings himself, adding that it was then that he grasped the abundance of historical and cultural heritage in the country.

In Shenyang, Liaoning province, a group of Taiwan compatriots visited the 9.18 Historical Museum. After witnessing the mass graves and remains of martyrs who were brutally slaughtered by the Japanese army in Northeast China, they expressed shock and emphasized the importance of remembering history.

The September 18th Incident, also known as the Mukden Incident, occurred on Sept 18, 1931. It was a staged event orchestrated by the Japanese army to create a pretext for Japan's invasion of Northeast China. It marked the beginning of Japanese military aggression against China.

"Without the sacrifices of the martyrs, there would be no peaceful era we enjoy today," said Yang Shang-chieh, a youth from Taiwan. He noted that Taiwan's curriculum guidelines have omitted many aspects of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), suggesting that the Taiwan authorities aim to manipulate people by deceiving them.

Wu Chien-yi, a teacher from Taiwan, highlighted the positive educational role of the 9.18 Historical Museum. She expressed hope that this visit would help Taiwan students better understand the history of the Chinese nation and recognize their historical responsibilities as Chinese.

The winter camp also featured ice and snow sports, experiences of New Year customs, and tours focused on modern China's development.

Zheng Jianmin, president of the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, said many Taiwan compatriots have witnessed firsthand the rapid development and transformation of the country, finding opportunities to realize their dreams on the mainland.

He expressed hope that young people from both sides would cultivate lasting friendships through interactions at the winter camp.

Since its establishment in 1989, the camp has attracted more than 8,000 youths from Taiwan.