A family from Taiwan is fully engaging in the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations in the city of Fuzhou in east China's Fujian Province which is situated opposite the island of Taiwan across the Taiwan Strait, reflecting the cultural and emotional ties connecting both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Kang Yung-ming, a former rugby coach from Taiwan, and his family members have recently relocated to Fuzhou, seeking new professional opportunities as well as trying to immerse themselves in local cultural life.
"In fact, a key spirit we want to convey through rugby is 'All for one and one for all'，as rugby requires an individual to lead and inspire the entire team to advance forward," Kang said. With this belief as his support, Kang said he is confident that no barrier is insurmountable.
For Kang and his family, this year marks their inaugural Mid-Autumn Festival on the Chinese mainland, which has been enriched by a variety of local events, including galas, cultural performances, and traditional dances.
However, these festivities present a stark contrast to the more informal celebrations they were accustomed to in Taiwan. One of the most noticeable differences is that people in Taiwan typically enjoy barbecue during Mid-Autumn Festival.
"I'm not sure when it started, but it seems like every household now has barbecue. It could be having a barbecue with family at home or attending outdoor barbecue parties," said Wang Yi-wen, Kang Yung-ming's wife.
According to Wang, Fuzhou's festivities offer a more structured and immersive experience, featuring elaborate events and performances that enhance the festive atmosphere.
Driven by a desire for professional development and a deeper cultural engagement, Kang and all his family members have been pleasantly surprised by the warmth of the local community and the opportunity to participate in traditional customs within a new context.
"I believe we share the same roots and celebrate the same Mid-Autumn Festival. Therefore, we should move beyond ideological differences and focus on finding ways to achieve common prosperity together," he concluded.
Taiwan family embraces Mid-Autumn Festival in mainland city, celebrates cultural unity
Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.
Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.
More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.
Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.
"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.
During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.
"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.
In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.
With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.
"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.
Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition
