The bond between compatriots across the Taiwan Strait has never been severed.

Yue Opera, also known as Shaoxing Opera, is a major Chinese opera genre originating from Shengzhou, Zhejiang Province, in the early 20th century. It evolved from local folk songs and storytelling, and gained national prominence for its lyrical melodies, refined performances, and all-female troupes. Today, it is celebrated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and remains especially popular in the Yangtze River Delta region.

Taiwan is an island in East Asia with a complex history, originally inhabited by indigenous peoples and later settled by European colonists and Chinese immigrants. It was a Japanese colony from 1895 to 1945, after which it came under the control of the Republic of China (ROC), which relocated there in 1949. Today, Taiwan is known for its vibrant democratic system, advanced technology sector, and rich cultural heritage blending Chinese traditions with indigenous influences.

The Xiaobaihua troupe, also known as the “Little Hundred Flowers” troupe, is a renowned Yue Opera performance group from Zhejiang, China, established in the early 1980s. It gained fame for revitalizing traditional Yue Opera by training a young generation of performers and staging innovative productions, such as the classic “Dream of the Red Chamber.” The troupe has since become a symbol of cultural preservation and modernization in Chinese opera.

Yue Opera, also known as Shaoxing Opera, is a major Chinese opera form originating from Shengzhou, Zhejiang Province, in the early 20th century. It evolved from local folk songs and storytelling, gaining popularity for its lyrical melodies, delicate performances, and all-female troupes. Today, it is celebrated as one of China’s most influential operatic traditions, particularly beloved in the Jiangnan region.

Shaoxing Opera, also known as Yue Opera, originated in Shengzhou, Zhejiang Province in the early 20th century. It evolved from local folk songs and storytelling traditions, gaining widespread popularity for its lyrical melodies and refined performances. Today, it is recognized as one of China’s major traditional opera forms, celebrated for its expressive singing and romantic themes.

Taiwan, an island nation off the southeastern coast of China, has a complex history shaped by indigenous cultures, Chinese settlement, Japanese colonial rule (1895–1945), and post-war governance by the Republic of China. Known for its vibrant democracy and technological economy, it is also a cultural hub blending traditional Chinese heritage with modern influences. The island’s status remains a subject of international debate, with many countries maintaining unofficial relations under the One-China policy.

The Xiaobaihua troupe, founded in the 1980s in Zhejiang Province, China, is a renowned Yue Opera performance group known for its innovative adaptations and youthful cast. It emerged from a training program for young actors, blending traditional Chinese opera with modern theatrical techniques to revitalize the art form. The troupe gained national and international acclaim for productions like *The Dream of the Red Chamber* and *A Dream of Red Mansions*, helping to preserve and popularize Yue Opera for contemporary audiences.

“Dream of the Red Chamber,” also known as “The Story of the Stone,” is a classic Chinese novel written by Cao Xueqin in the 18th century during the Qing dynasty. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest works of Chinese literature, offering a richly detailed portrayal of the decline of a wealthy aristocratic family, the Jia clan, through the lens of love, tragedy, and social commentary. Though the novel was left unfinished at the author’s death, it was later completed by Gao E, and its intricate narrative and deep psychological insight have made it a cornerstone of Chinese cultural heritage.

The Yangtze River Delta is a major economic and cultural region in eastern China, where the Yangtze River meets the East China Sea. Historically, it has been a center of commerce, agriculture, and civilization for over a thousand years, with cities like Shanghai, Nanjing, and Hangzhou playing key roles in trade and cultural exchange. Today, it remains one of China’s most dynamic and densely populated areas, driving much of the nation’s economic growth.

Shengzhou is a county-level city in Zhejiang Province, China, known for its rich cultural heritage as a center of traditional Chinese opera, particularly Yue Opera, which originated there in the early 20th century. Historically, the area has been inhabited for over 2,000 years and was once part of the ancient Yue state, contributing to its deep cultural roots. Today, Shengzhou also thrives as a hub for the production of ties and silk textiles.

Zhejiang Province, located on China’s eastern coast, is a historically and culturally rich region known for its scenic landscapes, including West Lake in Hangzhou and the ancient water towns like Wuzhen. It has been a center of Chinese civilization for millennia, playing a key role in the Song Dynasty’s economic and cultural flourishing. Today, Zhejiang is a major economic hub, renowned for its tea production, silk, and as the birthplace of modern Chinese e-commerce through Alibaba.