Cultural exchanges boost cross-Straits ties

Young performers from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan staged a performance in Sanmenxia, Central China's Henan province on July 24, in efforts to boost cross-Straits ties and collaboration.

The show drew thousands of people to Da'an Square in Gaomiao town, Sanmenxia, who applauded loudly for the skilled performers.

The cross-Straits cultural exchange activity was sponsored by the Chinese Culture Friendship Association and the People's Government of Henan province, and featured a total of 15 performances of song, acrobatics, traditional opera, as well as various types of dance.

Young performers from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan stage a performance in Sanmenxia, Central China's Henan province on July 24. [Photo by Gao Limin/taiwan.cn]

Students from universities in Henan province and artists from Sanmenxia also showcased central China's unique culture through Yuju Opera and Quhu, a two-stringed fiddle.

"I rushed to the venue at 6 o'clock, two hours in advance," said Dang Chunping, a 70-year-old resident. "I knew some of those kids come from Taiwan, so I wanted to get a good seat to watch their performance."

He added that "We are family. It's good to enhance exchanges".

Artists from Sanmenxia Opera Research Center perform the much-loved Yuju Opera, Lady General Mu Takes Command, during the cultural exchange event. [Photo by Gao Limin/taiwan.cn]

The cultural event presents a platform of great importance for cross-Straits compatriots to enhance mutual understanding and promote exchanges, local media reported.

It helps youths across the Taiwan Strait to learn more about the Chinese mainland and create more opportunities for future exchanges.

Gu Zhenni, a dancer from the Gaoshan ethnic group and student at Taipei University, said, "We have prepared our dances for two months and are very careful about every detail of the dance – the costumes, music and movements."

Gu said she learned Dai dance and Miao dance in Yunnan last year, and hoped she could have more opportunities to come to the mainland and learn more ethnic cultures, adding that "carrying on the ethnic culture is our mission".

Gu Zhenni, a student at Taipei University, performs a traditional folk dance from Gaoshan ethnic group. [Photo by Gao Limin/taiwan.cn]

A little boy is captivated by the splendid performance. [Photo by Gao Limin/taiwan.cn]