On May 27-29, the first Fujian-Taiwan Youth Study Camp for Guoxue was held in Pingtan, the closest place on the Chinese mainland to the island of Taiwan. 30 young members from across the Taiwan Straits found the three-day journey rewarding, and were impressed with Pingtan.

You Wenjuan, the person in charge of the Cross-Straits Center of Guoxue based in Pingtan said that the activity aims to enhance cultural exchanges and carry forward the fine cultural traditions of the Chinese nation.

Young campers from across the Taiwan Straits chorus "Zhu Zi's Family Maxims"

"Meet the old, show respect; meet the young, be kind to them..." Zhu Xi was a Chinese calligrapher, historian, philosopher, politician, and writer of the Song dynasty(1127-1279).

Campers learn the quintessence of Chinese culture in a Peking Opera session.

Campers are introduced to the origins of the prehistorical culture of Fujian and Taiwan and make traditional dragon boat models at the Education and Training Base of Austronesian Archaeology.

Campers visit the Haitan Coastal Defence Museum to get an understanding of historical relics and naval culture.

At the closing ceremony of the study camp, student representative from Taiwan Cheng Yu and his designated partner of the activity from mainland Zhang Junwei vow eternal friendship.

"On the first day we met, I felt that you were enthusiastic and brought us a lot of laughter."

"Keep in touch. We shall get together again some day."

Reluctant to part, 30 campers firmly believe: this is not the end, and they will surely cross paths again in the future.

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