From September 12 to 17, the 12th „Hometown Moon is Brighter—Chongqing-Taiwan Newlyweds‘ Hometown Tour“ event was held in Chongqing. As part of the 17th „Chongqing-Taiwan Week,“ the event continued the theme „Chongqing and Taiwan Connected, Working Together for Development,“ inviting nearly 30 representatives of cross-strait marriage families and their relatives from Taiwan to return to their hometown for exchanges, adding new momentum to Chongqing-Taiwan cooperation and family integration.
During the event, guests witnessed Chongqing’s rapid development at Liziba Light Rail Station, Hongya Cave, Shibati Traditional Style District, and Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street. They remembered history and paid tribute to martyrs at the Chongqing Bombing Massacre Site, admired the beautiful natural scenery at Wulong Three Natural Bridges Scenic Area and Chongqing Xiannüshan National Forest Park, experienced the unique charm of traditional Chinese culture at the Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum and Chongqing Dezhuang Hot Pot Museum, and felt the achievements and prospects of Chongqing-Taiwan economic cooperation at the opening ceremony of Taiwan Week.
The cultural salon held on the afternoon of the 16th was a highlight of the event. Using cultural relics as a link and marriage as a bridge, it initiated a cultural and emotional dialogue across the strait.
The event featured carefully selected cultural relics with regional characteristics and historical value, breaking traditional viewing boundaries and allowing guests to observe details up close, touch the temperature of history, and intuitively feel the cultural significance behind the relics. Experts explained the historical background, craftsmanship, and significance of the relics through vivid examples, accessible language, and interactive sessions, helping guests systematically understand cultural relics and deepen their appreciation of traditional Chinese culture. The event also included a hands-on experience with traditional handicrafts, where guests, under professional guidance, experienced the intricacies of traditional techniques and the depth of Chinese culture.
The six-day itinerary was compact and fulfilling, allowing representatives of cross-strait marriage families and their relatives from Taiwan to further build consensus, share family bonds, and expand exchanges and cooperation.
„I saw online that my hometown Rongchang is becoming very popular, and I feel proud. The development of my hometown is really fast; every time I return, it looks new. Transportation facilities are constantly updated, making travel very convenient. My husband and children also love it here, and we will definitely come back often,“ said Zeng Hongyan, a representative of a cross-strait marriage family.
Li Wenhao, a young Taiwanese visiting Chongqing for the first time as a relative of a cross-strait marriage family, fell in love with Chongqing’s scenery and food during the trip. „Now all I can think about is how good it is here. I will work hard to earn money and come to the mainland often,“ he said.
As a flagship event for cross-strait marriage families, this activity has been held for twelve consecutive years, becoming an important platform for Chongqing-Taiwan exchanges and promoting family integration. It not only provides a diverse interactive platform for compatriots on both sides of the strait but also enhances cultural identity and emotional bonds.
It is reported that there are over 14,000 registered cross-strait marriages in Chongqing. Since 2011, Chongqing has continuously carried out exchange activities for cross-strait marriage families, inviting more than 700 family members and their relatives to visit Chongqing for exchanges.
