Youth's role in bridging cross-Strait relations

The actions of these Taiwan commentators are not due to a lack of knowledge but are deliberate provocations aimed at misleading Taiwan citizens and deepening misunderstandings and divisions between the two sides.

The claim about tea eggs is not just a ridiculous rumor but a severe misconception and belittling of the living standards of people on the mainland. I've lived in Wuhan for a long time. The variety and unique flavors of the food there are impressive and affordable, representing a microcosm of the mainland's food culture.

The statement about the high-speed trains is even more absurd. The seats on mainland high-speed trains actually feature adjustable backrests designed to conform to ergonomic principles.

These trains are not just a means of transportation but also stand as symbols of modernization, efficiency, safety, and comfort. They have significantly reduced travel time between cities, covering over a thousand kilometers in just a few hours. They also offer all kinds of facilities onboard: free Wi-Fi, power outlets, clean restrooms, and dining services, all designed to enhance the passenger experience.

I hope more people in Taiwan can come and experience the mainland's culinary delights and high-speed train services, not just to dispel misunderstandings but to appreciate the tremendous achievements in the mainland's modernization efforts. Only through genuine understanding and experience can we eliminate biases, enhance mutual trust, and jointly promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

The truth is that the mainland has been developing rapidly, with significant achievements in various fields. In terms of technology, the mainland is at the forefront in 5G technology, artificial intelligence, e-commerce, and other areas.

For example, Huawei's breakthroughs in 5G technology, Alibaba's innovations in e-commerce, and Tencent's accomplishments in social media and digital content all showcase the mainland's strong capabilities in technological innovation.

The infrastructural achievements in the mainland are also remarkable.

Besides the world-leading high-speed train system, the mainland has built an extensive highway network and modern airports. Beijing Daxing International Airport, hailed by British media as one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World", exemplifies the mainland's excellence in engineering technology and architectural design.

In enhancing mutual understanding between people on both sides, I think the youth play a crucial role and bear significant responsibilities and missions.

Firstly, young people are the inheritors of history and culture.

On both sides, they share common cultural roots and historical memory, which is not only the bond of cross-Strait relations but also an important force for promoting peaceful development.

Today's younger generation is also the bridge of information and cognition. Their proficiency with new technologies and media allows them to easily access and disseminate information.

By personally experiencing and visiting the mainland, Taiwan youth can obtain objective and real information, fully understand its advanced infrastructure, rapidly developing economy, rich cultural life, and the friendliness and warmth of its residents, breaking down prejudices and stereotypes.

Secondly, youth are the driving force of economic and social development.

Cross-Strait cooperation and exchange in the economic field can lead to technological innovation and industrial upgrades, promoting mutual economic development.

Young people also have a keener sense of social issues and innovative solutions. By conducting joint research and practice, both sides can find more consensus and cooperation points in areas such as environmental protection, education, and technology, contributing to social progress.

Youth are the guardians of peace and stability. History tells us that peace and stability are prerequisites for development, and we should actively advocate and participate in peaceful dialogue, reducing hostility and confrontation through various forms of exchange and cooperation, promoting peaceful development, and contributing wisdom to the long-term stability of cross-Strait relations.

Written by Chen Simo, a 20-year-old Taiwan student at Shanghai International Studies University, who is currently participating in an exchange program at the University of Alicante in Spain.

On May 15, Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, targeted five Taiwan commentators who had been spreading false and negative information about the Chinese mainland. This misinformation included claims such as mainland people being unable to afford tea eggs and mainland high-speed trains lacking backrests. Chen emphasized that such statements "fueled hostility and opposition between both sides of the Strait, and harmed the feelings of compatriots". He announced that the mainland would implement sanctions against the five individuals and their families.