A gala celebrating the 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities of China was held in Sanya of southern Hainan Province on Tuesday afternoon, showcasing the country's rich cultural diversity and national cohesion among diverse ethnic groups.
The gala kicked off at Tianya Haijiao, the iconic scenic site in Sanya, referring to the "ends of the earth" in Chinese. Athletes and guests were treated to a variety of interactive activities, including lively performances of traditional songs and dances, as well as displays showcasing intangible cultural heritage projects.
This year, Hong Kong and Macao officially formed delegations to participate in the Games for the first time, while Taiwan continued to send a delegation to compete.
The dragon boat team members from Hong Kong exchanged gifts with the team from southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. "We are very happy with our first-ever participation. The Games has enabled us to acquaint with friends from different ethnic groups and experience the sentiment of the big family of the Chinese nation," said Wong Hei-man, a member of the dragon boat team from Hong Kong. "We can learn and progress together. Through competitions, we can enhance understanding and cultural identity among the various ethnic groups from different provinces. It also makes us feel that all 56 ethnic groups are tightly united like pomegranate seeds. I feel great joy and happiness," said Chen Changyu, an athlete from Jiangxi's delegation.
The Games runs from Nov 22 to 30.
Gala for ethnic minorities games showcases cultural diversity, national cohesion
Gala for ethnic minorities games showcases cultural diversity, national cohesion
A delegation of 40 students and teachers from seven Chinese mainland universities arrived at Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport on Wednesday, embarking on their nine-day visit to the island.
Invited by the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, the delegation is led by Qiu Yong, chairman of Tsinghua University Council.
The delegation includes table tennis Olympic champion Ma Long studying at Beijing Sport University, and air rifle Olympic champion Yang Qian studying at Tsinghua University.
"I came from Taipei today, and I arrived at Taoyuan Airport at 09:30 because I was worried that there would be too many people here. I brought the photos that my friends sent me today, and I'm very happy. I also wrote a letter to Ma Long because I was worried that I would be too excited if I really saw him in person. We welcome students from the mainland to come to Taiwan for exchanges, and wish them to enjoy delicious food and drink and have fun here," said Lai Chin-hsuan, a Taiwan resident.
This is the second delegation of mainland teachers and students visiting Taiwan at the invitation of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, following the first delegation in July last year.
The delegation visited a high school on Wednesday afternoon as scheduled.
Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the foundation, said exchanges and contacts between young people of the mainland and Taiwan region are very important to the development of cross-Strait relations.
"When I arrived earlier, the fans had already lining up at the airport a few hours in advance, so I really think this is a very exciting phenomenon. It means that no matter how depressed the cross-Strait relationship is, sports and youth exchanges will always be common topics and language between the two sides. College students and high school students on both sides of the Taiwan Strait need to know each other very much. I think it is very meaningful to have so many top mainland students visit our most outstanding high school in Taiwan today," said Hsiao.
Besides the high school, the delegation is scheduled to visit some universities, the Taipei 101 tower and the Taipei Palace Museum from Nov 28 to 30. It will also visit the Sun Moon Lake, participate in a baseball activity and visit another historical museum from Dec 1 to 4.
Delegation of mainland university students, teachers embarks on Taiwan visit
