After participating in a softball event in Ningxia, Lin Gengpeng from Yilan, Taiwan, and his team appeared at another competition in Chongqing.

The 9th “Taiwanese Association Cup” Slow-Pitch Softball Invitational Tournament began on the 13th in Chongqing. Six teams from Chongqing and Taiwan, totaling 110 participants, will compete over two days.

After years of development, this year’s slow-pitch softball invitational has evolved from a “mainland Taiwanese business association team event” to a “sports exchange event for youth across the strait.” Four of the six teams are from Taiwan.

Slow-pitch softball is a emerging recreational sport derived from baseball and softball, which has flourished in mainland China in recent years. Lin Gengpeng, visiting Chongqing for the first time, said that as the team leader, he organized 15 players to participate. “I hope to bring more young people to the mainland in the future and create wonderful memories through competition.”

“In Taiwan, baseball and softball are beloved by people of all ages, including players as old as 70.” Guo Jiahan, from New Taipei, Taiwan, is also leading a team to Chongqing for the first time, having previously played in Changsha and Xiamen. He said that every time he comes to the mainland to compete, he adopts a “friendship first, competition second” mindset, using the sport to make friends.

For team leader Xu Jinkai from Taoyuan, returning to Chongqing, the most noticeable change is the city’s rapid development. “It’s delightful to see more and more mainland youth taking a liking to slow-pitch softball.” Learning that many Taiwanese baseball players and coaches are coaching in the mainland, Xu Jinkai noted that this is an opportunity for sports and cultural exchanges across the strait.

Cao Xiangxuan from Taipei is quite interested in the mainland’s landscapes, history, and culture. Visiting Chongqing for the first time, he has already packed his post-game schedule with activities like viewing the confluence of the two rivers, riding the Yangtze River Cableway, and seeing the night view of Hongyadong. “I look forward to an in-depth tour and will definitely come back often.”

Ningxia

Ningxia is an autonomous region in northwest China historically inhabited by the Hui Muslim minority, with a legacy tied to the ancient Silk Road. It was also part of the Western Xia dynasty, a significant Tangut kingdom that ruled from the 11th to 13th centuries. Today, it is known for its desert landscapes, the Yellow River, and distinctive Islamic culture.

Chongqing

Chongqing is a major city in southwestern China with a history spanning over 3,000 years, serving as the capital of the Ba and Yu states. It gained prominence during World War II as the provisional capital of China and is now a sprawling megacity known for its mountainous terrain, hot pot cuisine, and role as a key economic hub.

Taiwan

Taiwan is an island territory in East Asia with a complex history of indigenous cultures, Chinese settlement, and periods of Dutch, Spanish, and Japanese rule. It is known for its vibrant democracy, technological industry, and stunning natural landscapes ranging from mountains to coastlines. The island’s status is a subject of ongoing international dispute, with the People’s Republic of China claiming sovereignty over it.

Changsha

Changsha is the capital of Hunan Province in south-central China, with a history spanning over 3,000 years. It is renowned as an important center of the Chu State culture during the Spring and Autumn period and was a major hub during the Republican era. Today, it is a modern city famous for its media industry and as the hometown of Chairman Mao Zedong.

Xiamen

Xiamen is a major coastal city in southeastern China’s Fujian province, historically known as Amoy. It was a key treaty port opened to foreign trade after the First Opium War and became one of China’s earliest Special Economic Zones in 1980, fueling its modern development. The city is famous for its picturesque waterfront, colonial architecture, and the nearby pedestrian-only island of Gulangyu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Yangtze River Cableway

The Yangtze River Cableway in Chongqing, China, was a major public transport system that opened in 1987 to help citizens cross the river. It was a landmark and popular tourist attraction before its closure in 2019 to make way for new bridge infrastructure.

Hongyadong

Hongyadong is a historic stilted building complex located in Chongqing, China, built along the cliffs of the Jialing River. It dates back over 2,300 years to the ancient Ba and Shu kingdoms, originally serving as a military fortress. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction known for its traditional architecture, vibrant shops, and teahouses that showcase the city’s cultural heritage.

confluence of the two rivers

The confluence of the two rivers refers to the point where two distinct bodies of water meet, a geographical feature of great historical and cultural significance. Such sites have often served as strategic locations for trade, settlement, and the founding of major cities throughout history. For example, the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Mesopotamia is considered one of the cradles of civilization.