On October 19th, over 80 scholars from both sides of the Taiwan Strait gathered in Fuzhou to discuss the construction of a shared homeland, aiming to deepen integration across various fields, strengthen the sense of national community, and promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The Forum on Cross-Strait Integrated Development—an academic seminar focused on building the shared homeland of the Chinese nation—was held at Minjiang University.

Huang Qingxian, director of the Taiwan Studies Center at Nankai University, emphasized the deep-rooted connections between people on both sides, stating, “The people across the Strait share a common cultural heritage and history. This shared destiny forms a community with a ‘common fate’ perception. We must strengthen our sense of national community, share the opportunities of Chinese-style modernization, and build a community together for the rejuvenation of our nation.”

Wang Mengjun, an associate professor at Guangxi Normal University, delivered a keynote address on “The Pathways for Taiwanese Youth to Build a Shared Homeland in the Cyber Space.” She noted the growing popularity of social media platforms like WeChat, Xiaohongshu, and Douyin among Taiwanese youth, explaining how these digital spaces provide opportunities for communication and interaction. “Through these platforms, the mainland can share its history, beneficial policies, and intercultural exchanges with young people in Taiwan. They can experience our shared culture and emotions, gaining a more intuitive understanding of the mainland,” Wang said.

“By fostering consensus, enhancing interaction, and increasing understanding among youth across the Strait in the online sphere, we can form a new collective identity represented by ‘Cross-Strait Netizens as One Family,’ thereby deepening national identity and solidifying the sense of a shared community,” she added.

In the afternoon session, experts engaged in in-depth discussions on three main topics: the goals of building a shared homeland for the Chinese nation, the pathways to achieving this, and practical steps for implementation.

Zhang Guanhua, a researcher at the Taiwan Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, highlighted the importance of viewing the economies of both sides as part of a shared national economy. “Gradually creating a common market and building an economic community is crucial for maintaining and constructing a shared homeland, advancing the process of national unification, and realizing national rejuvenation,” he asserted.

Professor Zheng Xiaoxue of Minjiang University’s Xinhua Du Business School stated, “The common roots and shared historical memories and cultural heritage provide a solid foundation for people on both sides to build a shared homeland.” Similarly, Professor Wang Heting from Suzhou University called for enhancing the integration of the Chinese nation, actively safeguarding the rights and well-being of the people in Taiwan in various contexts, and promoting social integration across the Strait.

The seminar, organized by Minjiang University and hosted by the university’s Research Institute for Cross-Strait Integrated Development, holds significant practical implications for exploring new pathways for integration and accelerating the construction of a demonstration area for cross-Strait development, creating a beautiful shared home for people from both sides under the new circumstances.