Pingtan, a cross-Straits integration pilot zone off Fujian's coast and the mainland's closest point to the island of Taiwan, hosted a youth baseball event on August 3. The Pingtan-Taiwan Youth Baseball and Softball Invitational opened at Pingtan Baseball Field, gathering six teams from Fuzhou, Pingtan and Taiwan. The sport, blending fun and teamwork, saw young players showcase their skills and strengthen bonds.

At the opening, Pingtan's Baseball and Softball Association and Taiwan's Sports Culture and Education Development Association signed a cooperation agreement. It aims to regularize  cross-Straits baseball exchanges, laying the groundwork for deeper sports and cultural cooperation.

Taiwan association chairman Wu Xixiang said after signing, "Returning to beautiful Pingtan excites me. I'm glad to see its baseball growth—new stadiums and big events in recent years."

Pingtan association secretary-general Gao Penghui noted, "We'll hold annual events, deepen the 'Pingtan-Taiwan' brand, and expand into cultural forums, team visits and school exchanges to boost cross-Straits friendship." Both sides will build a multi-level sports cooperation system covering events, training, experience and resource sharing.