Cross-Strait Chinese New Year bazaar unites cultures in Fuzhou

The sizzle of Taiwan sausages and the nostalgic aroma of Fuzhou fish balls filled the air in Guixi Community over the weekend as a vibrant cross-Strait Chinese New Year bazaar was held in Fuzhou, the capital of East China's Fujian province.

The three-day event — which started on Friday and featured over 50 booths outside Fuzhou's prominent residence for Taiwan compatriots — offered a one-stop sensory journey through the shared traditions of the Chinese New Year.

For Zhou Jia-sin from Taiwan, the bazaar offers a chance to share a taste of home passed down through her family. Alongside her father, a Kaohsiung native from Taiwan who transitioned from the electronics industry to the culinary world, Zhou sells handcrafted Taiwan sausages based on a secret family recipe.

"My father started this because he missed the taste of home while doing business on the Chinese mainland when he was young," Zhou, whose family now manages six sausage stores in Fuzhou, said.

She said her family's New Year's Eve table is a map of their heritage — Taiwan sausages stir-fried with garlic representing her father, and Fuzhou's signature lychee pork from her mother who is a local resident.

The sentiment of "completeness" is echoed by Lin Szu-shan from Taiwan, who served bowls of fish balls produced in Fuzhou at the market. In Chinese culture, the round shape of the fish ball symbolizes reunion.

"When we gather around the stove for the reunion dinner, fish balls are essential," Lin said, noting that his products have been transported to Taiwan restaurants as far as Sichuan province and Shanghai as people prepare for the Spring Festival.

Beyond the food, the bazaar serves as a "year-end party" for the growing community of Taiwan compatriots who have chosen to build lives in Fujian. Huang Wan-ting, a Taiwan-trained medical service provider, found her calling in Fuzhou, not just in medicine, but in community service.

"I wanted to step off the island and experience different customs," Huang, who assists fellow residents with medical insurance and hospital visits, said. "Fujian is the first stop for many of us."

She is currently preparing to move into the community's dedicated apartments for Taiwan compatriots with favorable rents and spend the Spring Festival in the mainland. "Living here, I feel no different than being at home."

Guixi Community is the first in Fuzhou to provide public rental housing specifically for Taiwan compatriots, currently housing over 500 residents from Taiwan.

In recent years, by piloting shared governance standards, the community encourages Taiwan residents to lead management and volunteering initiatives, earning widespread praise from local neighbors.

Chen Wenjing, director of the Guixi Community's neighborhood committee, said: "Our goal is to build a landmark, integrated community that serves as a warm, supportive shared home for residents."