The summer camp for Taiwanese youth, run by the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots (ACFTC), reopened on the Chinese mainland on Tuesday, the 20th since the pandemic.
Some 200 college students from Taiwan gathered in Beijing and went to different parts of the mainland to experience daily life, culture, and tradition.
During their visit to Beijing Sport University, China. /CGTN
On Tuesday morning, they visited Beijing Sport University, where they got acquainted with each other through ice-breaking games.
They met Olympic champions and visited sports venues and art galleries at Minzu University of China to see the traditional culture.
"We are very happy for this and very happy to become one with students from both the mainland and Taiwan," said Cheng Ting-Yi from the Chinese Youth Development Union based on the island.
"This is the first of this summer camp after the pandemic. It is so grand, and we are looking forward to what is coming," said Chen Yen-Lin, also from the union.
"I feel the team spirit, and I expect to see especially the places of interest, which I only learned about in a textbook before," said Wu Yu-Ting from National Chengchi University.
The opening ceremony of the summer camp for students at Minzu University of China in Beijing. /CGTN
In the evening, a party began, with the summer camp officially kicking off.
Yang Yizhou, vice-chairman of the ACFTC, talked to CGTN.
"We are very happy because only through face-to-face exchanges and communication can we truly build up bonds, reach consensus, and break all kinds of barriers and obstructions set up by the Democratic Progressive Party and Taiwan independence separatist forces," Yang said.
Some students came to the mainland for the first time and shared their feelings during the evening party.
Students from Taiwan. /CGTN
"I am from Kaohsiung. This is my first time taking part in this summer camp, and I feel really amazed," said Ko Li-Min from the National Taichung University of Science and Technology.
"I want to take this as an opportunity to see the various ethnic minorities, and we will dance together," said Hsieh Cheng-Jui from Hsiuping University of Science and Technology.
During this summer, other activities like this will be held to deepen understanding between both sides of the Taiwan Straits.