Editor's note: Over the past decades, communication across the Taiwan Straits has fluctuated, yet the cross-Strait connection has remained strong and resilient. As today's youth wield the ability to shape the future, it becomes imperative for the younger generations on both sides to forge closer ties. Building on the success of Season One "Incredible Odyssey," this season, Cai Yunyong from the Taiwan region will lead us on a journey through Xinjiang, a vibrant and culturally rich region in northwestern China. Together, we will uncover the story of cotton – not as a tool of "oppression" or "exploitation" as claimed by some Western media, but as a symbol of resilience and prosperity – and glimpse the lives of the people who call this remarkable place home.

In 2020, Sweden-based H&M Group made headlines with a statement saying it would cut ties with suppliers from China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, citing worries over alleged forced labor. This announcement, pushed by Western media stories, cast a shadow over Xinjiang cotton – one of the best fabrics in the world – turning it into a global controversy point.

Since then, many international brands, including Uniqlo, have tried to distance themselves from Xinjiang. In an interview with the BBC, Tadashi Yanai, the founder of Uniqlo, said that the brand no longer used cotton from Xinjiang, adding that discussing the source of materials would "get too political."

But what is the truth behind these claims? Is China really exploiting ethnic minorities in the production of Xinjiang cotton? In this episode, we join Cai Yunyong from China's Taiwan region on a journey to Alar, a city that emerged from barren land and was transformed through decades of dedication by the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. Together, we'll explore the story of Xinjiang cotton, uncover the realities of life in this vibrant region, and witness the resilience and hard work of its people.

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