Taiwan youths eager to pursue dreams on mainland

Young people from China's Taiwan region are eager to pursue their dreams on the Chinese mainland and expect more of their peers to share the dividends of the rapid development of the mainland, as their representatives made the call at a cross-strait forum held in east China's Fujian Province on Friday.

The 22nd Strait Youth Forum took place in Fujian's Xiamen City, as part of the 16th Strait Forum.

Youth representatives from Taiwan shared their experiences working on the Chinese mainland at the forum, benefiting from the preferential policies implemented on the Chinese mainland.

"Despite various obstructive policies turned out by the Taiwan authorities, the two-way flow of young people from both sides of the Strait cannot be stopped. I can see that Taiwan youth have enjoyed many convenient measures that homogenize our identities in the Chinese mainland, which enable Taiwan compatriots to better understand the development of modernization of the mainland and share the dividends of development in this era. I think it is really suitable for everyone to bravely step forward, come to the mainland to integrate and develop, and then harvest the success of life together," said Chang Li-chi, a youth representative from Taiwan region.

"I think if Taiwan compatriots can fully recognize the general trend of the world, seize the pace of cross-Strait integration and follow the path of rapid development of the motherland, they can fully exert their youth on the vast stage of the motherland, and then bravely pursue their dreams. As an important bridge of cross-Strait communication and integration, they can bring the true voice of the motherland and its current speed of development to (more) Taiwan compatriots," said Chen Chu-yin, another Taiwan youth representative.

This year's Strait Youth Forum, an important platform for young people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait to exchange ideas, learn from each other, and enhance their friendship, saw 550 participants including young specialists and scholars.

Taiwan youths eager to pursue dreams on mainland

Two giant pandas departed from Ya'an City in southwest China's Sichuan Province for the United States on Wednesday evening, embarking on a 10-year international giant panda protection program.

Their relocation marks a new round of giant panda protection cooperation between the two countries, following the agreement signed in February between the China Wildlife Conservation Association and the San Diego Zoo.

Yun Chuan, a five-year-old male, and Xin Bao, a four-year-old female, were selected from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP). During the journey, the duo was accompanied by experienced breeders and veterinarians sent by both countries.

To ensure the health and safety of the two giant pandas during the flight, the CCRCGP has prepared fresh bamboo, bamboo shoots, fruits, vegetables, Wotou—a traditional Chinese steamed bread—and clean drinking water.

The pair will transit through Hong Kong and are scheduled to arrive in the U.S. on Thursday.

After they move into the San Diego Zoo, Chinese experts will stay with them for about three months to accompany them through the isolation and quarantine period, helping them quickly adapt to the new living environment.

During their stay at the San Diego Zoo, the public will have the opportunity to learn about the animals' daily lives and adaptations.

The CCRCGP has conducted scientific research in cooperation with the San Diego Zoo for over 25 years, with fruitful results in protecting, breeding, and controlling disease in giant pandas and related public education.

Giant pandas leave hometown for US