On October 16, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council held its regular press conference, where spokesperson Chen Binhua addressed questions regarding recent cultural and tourism exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Chen highlighted that in the realm of film and television, the fourth IM Cross-Strait Youth Film Festival took place in Pingtan, Fujian, from October 11 to 13, marking a successful event. A record-breaking total of 2,264 short films and 256 feature films were submitted for consideration. Notably, nine Taiwanese works made it to the top 50, with four awarded. The IM Cross-Strait Film Festival has become the largest and most prestigious platform for youth film exchange between the two sides, facilitating interaction among young directors and deepening mutual understanding through their works.

In terms of cultural exchanges, the game “Black Myth: Wukong” has gained immense popularity among the youth on both sides. Recently, the Straits Economic and Technological Cooperation Center, in collaboration with the Shanxi Provincial Taiwan Affairs Office, organized the inaugural “Exploring the Ancient Culture of Shanxi” tour for Taiwanese youth. The tour focused on “Black Myth: Wukong,” allowing participants to explore ancient architecture and cultural heritage in Shanxi, appreciate the treasures of Chinese culture, understand the essence of national spirit, and immerse themselves in the charm of traditional Chinese culture—an experience that has resonated strongly with young people from Taiwan.

Regarding tourism, from September 26 to 28, Zhuhai city hosted the “Beautiful China, Zhuhai Journey” visit, inviting over 70 tourism professionals from various counties and cities in Taiwan. This event aimed to connect cities within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, featuring four specially designed thematic tourism routes for Taiwanese compatriots. During the event, representatives from both sides signed a framework agreement for friendly cooperation in tourism exchanges. We warmly welcome and support all compatriots from Taiwan to engage in cultural and tourism exchanges, encouraging more Taiwanese youth to visit the mainland and personally experience the splendor of traditional Chinese culture. We will continue to create better conditions and provide enhanced services for Taiwanese citizens traveling to the mainland.