Pingtan, an island in Fujian province facing the Taiwan Straits and the Chinese mainland's closest place to Taiwan Island, hosted the main activities of the 2026 Cross-Straits Maritime Culture Exchange Platform on May 12, drawing visitors from both sides of the Straits for exhibitions, cultural experiences and seaside celebrations centered on shared maritime traditions.

Alongside the main forum, a maritime culture exhibition and a series of Fujian Ocean Culture Carnival events were held on the island, offering participants an immersive look at the historical and cultural links connecting communities on both sides of the Straits.

Exhibition highlights Austronesian heritage and shared traditions

The maritime culture-themed exhibition, titled "Sailing from the Same Roots Towards the Future," combined digital technology with traditional artifacts to trace the origins and spread of Austronesian culture.

Through images, videos and interactive displays, the exhibition explored the migration and maritime history of Austronesian peoples, creating what organizers described as a dialogue between civilizations across time and space.

Traditional artifacts from Taiwan, including glass beads, pottery jars, wooden drums, xylophones and ethnic clothing, were displayed throughout the venue, illustrating long-standing cultural connections across the Taiwan Straits.

Interactive technology also became a major attraction. In one AI-powered costume experience zone, visitors could take photos and instantly see themselves dressed in traditional attire. Another AI genealogy feature allowed visitors to enter their surnames and learn about the historical origins and development of their family names. 

"Using AI technology to trace family roots feels very meaningful, and the experience was thoughtfully designed," said Lin Zhuxiu, a visitor from Taiwan. She added that visitors could even upload photos to generate images alongside historical figures who shared the same surname.

The exhibition was divided into four themed sections — "Origins of Civilization," "Voyages Across the Sea," "Echoes of the Ocean" and "A Shared Future." Archaeological discoveries, holographic projections, traditional plank boats, intangible cultural heritage demonstrations and cultural creative markets were all incorporated to showcase the shared maritime heritage of both sides of the Straits.

The exhibition also featured handicrafts such as Pingtan shell carving, paper-cutting and sand painting, alongside cultural products from Taiwan. Visitors crowded around the booths throughout the day.

"We brought 16 groups of cultural creative works and hope visitors can experience the beauty of cross-Straits culture through these pieces," said Pan Xinru, marketing development director of Pingtan Nandao Dance Collective Cross-Straits Cultural Development Co., Ltd.

Seaside carnival blends music, folk customs and wishes for peace

Later that evening, the Fujian Ocean Culture Carnival series took place along Pingtan's coastline, where music, traditional rituals and fireworks created a festive atmosphere by the sea.

The event opened with a performance of the song Tonight I Don't Want to Sleep, as participants from both sides of the Straits waved glow sticks and sang along.

One of the night's highlights was the traditional Pingtan folk custom known as "Shao Wa Ta," or "burning the tile tower." During the ceremony, a brick tower was lit until flames rose high into the night sky. The centuries-old ritual is traditionally associated with wishes for prosperity and unity.

As the fire burned, participants joined hands and danced around the glowing tower while bonfires illuminated the beach.

The evening also featured a sky lantern ceremony. Participants wrote wishes on lanterns before releasing them into the night sky above the Taiwan Straits.

"May peace and development continue across the Straits," one lantern read. Another wished for "peace and happiness for everyone."

Among the crowd, an unexpected reunion added a personal touch to the night. Lin Shi and Huang Nanxiong, both from Taiwan, discovered during their trip to the venue that they were actually neighbors back home after singing the song Hard Work Will Win together on the bus. 

"To meet a neighbor from my hometown here on the mainland is unbelievable," Huang said, reflecting on his return to Pingtan after more than a decade. He also expressed surprise at the island's rapid development.

Lin hoped for more exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Straits in the future.

The celebration concluded with a fireworks display over the sea, bringing together music, flames, lantern lights and shared memories in a night centered on cultural connection and reunion across the Straits.