For Taiwan compatriot Lai Shuzhen, this year's Chinese New Year celebration in Pingtan was an unforgettable experience.

"I am not sure if it was because it was the first Spring Festival featuring intangible cultural heritage or simply my first time celebrating on the Chinese mainland, but I'm still immersed in the festive atmosphere—it was absolutely amazing!" Lai exclaimed.

From the opening performance of Ying Fu or Welcoming Blessings, which showcased 16 forms of intangible heritage, to the futuristic Yang BOT and the cross-Straits nostalgic Jie San or Borrowing the Umbrella, the Spring Festival Gala left a deep impression on her. "So many performances skillfully blended culture with technology," she noted. "It sparks a vision of how we could present the traditional arts of the Austronesian peoples and Pingtan's local craftsmanship in such an engaging way."

Lai, originally from Hualien, Taiwan, arrived in Pingtan in 2024 with a mission: to explore Austronesian culture through the lens of digital media. Utilizing short videos as a storytelling tool, she has worked with university study camps and volunteer teams to introduce young people from both sides of the Taiwan Straits to the deep-rooted cultural connections they share.

"Young people love short videos," Lai explained. "I want to use new media to tell historical and cultural stories in a way that resonates with them."

But what is it about Pingtan that captivates her so much? Beyond its pleasant climate, similar to that of Taiwan, the island is rich in cultural heritage. More importantly, it was a crucial waypoint in the migration of Austronesian ancestors. "As an Amis person from Taiwan, I deeply hope my family and fellow tribespeople back home can see this connection—Taiwan's Austronesian peoples migrated from the southeast coast of the Chinese mainland," she said.

To deepen her understanding and refine her educational programs, Lai has extensively researched archaeological findings. When the Keqiutou Site Museum opened last December in Pingtan, she was among the first to visit. "Seeing the artifacts left behind by Austronesian ancestors filled me with an indescribable sense of closeness and belonging," she shared.

During the holiday, Lai took the opportunity to explore different parts of Fujian, drawing parallels between traditions on both sides of the Straits. "The Minnan custom of burning pagoda-shaped structures, Shao Ta Zai, reminds me so much of the bonfires we light in our tribal ceremonies," she observed. "Both are filled with reverence for our ancestors and hope for the future."

Now based in Pingtan's Taiwan Entrepreneurial Park, Lai and her team have established a creative studio dedicated to developing unique educational experiences. "Over the holiday, we piloted a few programs, and the response was fantastic! Our Austronesian pottery-making workshop was especially popular among children," she revealed.

Inspired by the Spring Festival Gala, Lai is now delving into animation design, aiming to bring Austronesian legends to life using animation and 3D technology. "We've already outlined the storyline and are looking for like-minded collaborators," she said with enthusiasm.