Summer camp for youth promotes cross-Straits ties

A new summer camp for young Taiwan compatriots opened in Beijing on Thursday, and guests at the ceremony hoped that the Taiwan youth will learn about the latest developments in the motherland during the event and contribute their youthful wisdom to promote the great rejuvenation of the nation.

The opening ceremony of the 19th Summer Camp for young Taiwan compatriots was held in Beijing by the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots. The activity aims to carry forward fine traditional Chinese culture, show the achievements of the mainland's economic and social development, and enhance exchanges and interactions between youth from both sides of the Taiwan Straits.

The young Taiwan compatriots should pursue progress, take national rejuvenation as their own responsibility, and contribute their wisdom and sweat to the nation's rejuvenation, said Ji Bin, deputy head of the federation.

The mainland has provided a wonderful platform for the growth of young Taiwan compatriots, and the youth should seize the opportunity and step out of their comfort zone to participate in the development and construction of the motherland, Ji said.

"The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is at a critical stage. The young people in Taiwan must recognize the historical trend of inevitable reunification and shoulder the responsibility of the times to promote the peaceful and integrated development of cross-Straits relations," he said.

Young people are the foundation of the Chinese nation and the future hope of both sides of the Straits. The summer camp has continued through the changing situations on both sides of the Straits and overcome the impact of the epidemic without interruption over the years, and such persistence is invaluable, Hung Hsiu-chu, former chairwoman of the Chinese Kuomintang Party, said in a video speech at the ceremony.

"The civil exchanges and integrated development of both sides of the Straits are an irresistible historical trend. I hope that Taiwan youth will bear in mind the mission of the time, and actively play the role of promoters of cross-Straits peace, participants in national rejuvenation and strivers for future reunification," she said.

Since 2004, the camp has held 18 successive sessions, attracting more than 20,000 Taiwan youth from more than 200 colleges and universities on the Chinese mainland and abroad.

This year's camp will be held both online and offline. The participants will attend study camps covering digital economy and tea culture online. Offline activities will be carried out in nearly 30 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, and the youth can visit bases for emerging industries to learn about new developments and opportunities and explore new ideas for job hunting and entrepreneurship.