TAIPEI,????? ?????? March 28 (Xinhua) -- A group of 30 young people from Taiwan set out for a trip to east China's Shandong Province Friday amid increasing cross-Strait tensions triggered by latest secessionist moves of the Taiwan authorities.
As tensions across the Taiwan Strait grow, exchanges are even more crucial, said Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, who is leading this delegation to Shandong.
During their stay in Shandong, the delegation will engage with university students, participate in a Confucius memorial ceremony, and visit historical and cultural sites, according to Hsiao.
Since this year marks the 80th anniversary of China's victory in the war of resistance against Japanese aggression, the young people will visit the memorial hall of the battle of Tai'erzhuang in 1938 to honor the fallen soldiers and reflect on the value of peace, he said.
Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te recently outlined 17 strategies to counter so-called threats facing the island, including a number of restrictive policies targeting exchanges across the Strait.
Despite pressure from the authorities led by Lai, the foundation would continue to promote cross-Strait dialogue, Hsiao said.
Earlier this year, Hsiao led a group of about 40 Taiwan students to Beijing for cultural and sports exchanges. In late 2024, the foundation invited 40 students and faculty from seven mainland universities to Taiwan. Their visit received a warm welcome.