Siming's Zheng Chenggong Cultural Heritage Event strengthens cross-Strait ties

The traditional performance at the Zheng Chenggong Cultural Heritage Event. [Photo provided from Lin Yuyang to chinadaily.com.cn]

Held as a key supporting event for the 18th Straits Forum, the Zheng Chenggong Cultural Heritage Event ran from June 12 to 14 in Siming district, Xiamen. 

Focused on the legacy of Zheng Chenggong, a national hero who expelled Dutch colonists in 1662 and recovered Taiwan, the event brought together cultural promotion, immersive experiences, trade, and consumption, establishing a new platform for cross-Strait exchange.

Spanning the historic century-old Zhongshan Road, the event featured three themed zones. The Zheng Chenggong Memorial Museum brought its collection to the street, using images and text to tell the story of this legendary figure. For the first time, 16 businesses from Changhua county, Taiwan, joined the event, offering local products that showcased the region's unique culture and lifestyle. 

Visitors tap their phones on the NFC music wall and listen to Hokkien nursery rhymes. [Photo provided from Lin Yuyang to chinadaily.com.cn]

Immersive Zheng Chenggong–themed experiences were also on offer. The "King Yanping" exhibition, built like an ancient warship, used interactive games and storytelling to retell the historic recovery of Taiwan. A creative NFC music wall allowed visitors to tap their phones and listen to Hokkien nursery rhymes.

Additional activities, including cultural products, a traditional pitch-pot game, and DIY workshops, transformed historical elements into engaging experiences.

Throughout the event, a variety of performances and interactive activities took place. These included cross-Strait choir concerts, Minnan-Taiwan dance and music shows, and instrumental performances, with dozens of Taiwan residents singing on stage. 

A "one-day shop manager" activity was also launched, in which young people from Taiwan took on the role of store managers, fostering mutual understanding and friendship through hands-on experience.