Taiwan students embark on Shandong tour

A group of 30 young people from Taiwan, organized by the Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, are seen posing with a robotic dog on Taishan Mountain in Shandong province. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

A group of 30 young people from Taiwan are on a visit in East China's Shandong province, despite increasing cross-Strait tensions triggered by latest secessionist moves of Taiwan Island authorities.

"As tensions across the Taiwan Strait grow, exchanges are even more crucial," said Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the foundation, who is leading the delegation.

Organized by the island-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, the group will engage with university students in Shandong, participate in a Confucius memorial ceremony, and visit historical and cultural sites, according to Hsiao.

The group climbed Taishan Mountain on Monday and encountered a robotic dog carrying items up the mountain, sparking curiosity amongst the students who eagerly took photos with the robotic dog, he said.

Since this year marks the 80th anniversary of China's victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the group will also visit the memorial hall of the battle of Tai'erzhuang in 1938 to honor the fallen soldiers and reflect on the value of peace, he said.

The group visited a high-speed train model in Shandong. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

The visit came after Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te recently outlined 17 "strategies" to counter so-called "threats" from the Chinese mainland. These include raising public awareness about "risks" associated with mainland travel and limiting cross-Strait exchanges.

Hsiao condemned Lai for using administrative measures to restrict cross-Strait exchanges, limit people's freedoms and rights and even refer to the mainland as "external hostile force", thereby pushing the Strait to a dangerous situation.

He said recently he has received numerous expressions of concern from the public, who feel anxious and even pessimistic about cross-Strait relations.

The group toured a port in Shandong. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

Despite pressure from the authorities led by Lai, the foundation will continue to promote cross-Strait dialogue, Hsiao said.

"Only through communication can the hearts of people on both sides be brought closer, reducing divisive sentiments, and potentially avoiding conflicts or even war," he said.

Earlier this year, Hsiao led a group of about 40 Taiwan students to Beijing for cultural and sports exchanges. In late 2024, the foundation invited 40 students and faculty from seven mainland universities to Taiwan.