The Cross-Straits Youth Ice and Snow Festival kicked off on Thursday in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Participants from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan are taking part in the festivities. An opening gala was held Thursday evening, drawing more than 1,300 guests from both sides of the Taiwan Straits. Ma Ying-jeou, former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang Party said during the gala that the warm exchanges between the young people on both sides of the Straits will melt the ice and snow.