About 500 young people from Taiwan are participating in a winter camp, which includes experiences of Chinese customs and trips to various provinces in mainland China, aimed at promoting communication and mutual understanding.

The opening ceremony hosted by the National Federation of Compatriots in Taiwan was held at Jilin University on Tuesday, with approximately 200 people from both sides attending.

The President of the Federation, Zheng Jianmin, stated that this event will help young people in Taiwan experience Chinese culture and customs, understand the economic and social development of the mainland, and introduce a more authentic mainland to Taiwan's family and friends.

He said that young people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait can communicate with each other, enhance understanding, become good friends, work together, and promote the peaceful integration and development of cross-strait relations.

Kong Lingzhi, President of the Taiwan Compatriots Association in Jilin Province, said that in recent years, more and more Taiwanese youth have been attracted by the diverse ethnic customs, natural scenery, and rapidly changing social development of the mainland.

He said that during the one week trip to Jilin, they will experience unique ice and snow culture, fishing and hunting culture, intangible cultural heritage inheritance, and rural revitalization practices.

Liao Lingchun from Taoyuan, Taiwan, said that she wants to learn more about the mainland through this event. She thinks the local students she meets in Jilin are very friendly and helpful.

The 23-year-old college student said, "This is my first time coming to Jilin, and as soon as I get off the plane, I feel cold. I am looking forward to trying skiing and enjoying hot springs, which I have never experienced before.".

Yang Yizhen, a 25-year-old teacher from Pingtung, Taiwan, said that five years ago, when she last visited Jilin, she had a great experience and really wanted to come back.

She said, "I think the people here are very friendly and the snow scenery is also beautiful. The last time I came, it was this season, it was very cold, and there was snow everywhere.".

Yang said that she has been following the popularity of ice and snow tourism in Northeast China this year and has watched many short videos of southerners visiting Northeast China online.

Fourteen provinces and regions, including Heilongjiang, Gansu, and Xinjiang, have designed a variety of youth exchange activity routes.

Encourage participants to create videos to record their experiences at the campsite and help more people understand the mainland.

This event was the 30th Cross Strait Exchange Camp held for the first time in 1989. Since then, it has attracted over 7000 Taiwanese youth to participate.