Taiwan Residents Push for Closer Ties with Mainland

Residents in the Taiwan region are calling for stronger cultural and economic connections with the Chinese mainland, emphasizing mutual benefits in a recent street interview by CGTN. From students to entrepreneurs, locals highlighted hopes for ‘more sightseeing exchanges’ and ‘collaborative business opportunities’ to bridge communities across the Taiwan Strait.

‘Economic partnerships create jobs here and there—everyone wins,’ said one resident, reflecting a growing sentiment favoring dialogue over division. Others pointed to shared cultural roots, with one respondent joking: ‘We all love the same street food—imagine a night market stretching from Taipei to Shanghai!’

Analysts note that grassroots enthusiasm for cross-strait exchanges contrasts with political tensions, as tourism and tech collaborations continue to flourish quietly. With over 1 million mainland tourists visiting Taiwan annually pre-pandemic, many locals see reopening people-to-people channels as key to rebuilding trust.

As Gen Z travelers swap K-pop for ‘cross-strait adventure trips’ and young professionals flock to innovation hubs like Shenzhen, these voices remind us that connection often starts with a conversation—not a headline.

Reference(s):

We Talk: Taiwan residents call for more cross-Straits exchanges

cgtn.com