A series of engaging winter activities, including the ice tug-of-war, was unfolded sequentially at the Hengchong International Ski Resort in Baokang County, Xiangyang, Hubei Province.

Text and the Photo by Zhou Jianchun, the All-media Journalist, Zhang Zhao and Fan Shiqi, the Special Correspondents, and Ma Guotao, the Correspondent

Snow glistens across the Jing Mountain, while affection bridges the Taiwan Straits. On January 24, the Cross-Strait Youth Skiing Cultural Event themed “Hubei-Taiwan Ice and Snow Bond: Sharing Moments in the Land of Jing and Chu” kicked off at the Hengchong International Ski Resort in Baokang County, Xiangyang, Hubei Province. More than 200 young participants from Taiwan Province and the Chinese mainland gathered at the venue to embrace this winter rendezvous and foster mutual understanding and friendship through sports.

Cheng Liangsheng, Chairman of the Hubei Provincial Cross-Strait Exchange Promotion Association, announced the official launch of the event. Du Yunfeng, Deputy Secretary of the Baokang County Committee and County Mayor, warmly welcomed the young people from Taiwan Province who had come from afar in his speech. He introduced Baokang County as an important birthplace of the Chu culture, boasting a profound historical heritage, a well-developed transportation network, and an excellent ecological environment. It enjoys the reputation of the “Capital of Phosphorus in Central China”, “Peony’s Hometown,” “Wild Wintersweet’s Hometown,” and the “Hometown of Crape Myrtle in China.” It has one national nature reserve, five national 4A-level tourist attractions, and has been successfully selected as one of the first batches of beautiful rural pilot areas in China. Du stated that this event adheres to the concept that “fellow Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same family,” using ice and snow as a link and culture as a bridge, to build a platform for young people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait to enhance understanding, deepen friendship, and create a better future together.

Despite the harsh winter, the event venue buzzed with vibrant enthusiasm. Following the opening ceremony, a series of engaging winter activities—including the ice caterpillar race and ice tug-of-war—unfolded sequentially, culminating in an especially thrilling alpine skiing competition. Many young participants from Taiwan Province, experiencing real snowscapes for the first time, were visibly exhilarated. Under the patient, expert guidance of certified coaches, they progressed steadily—from tentative, unsteady first steps to confident, fluid gliding—fully immersing themselves in the joy and passion of ice and snow sports.

“It’s hard to see snow in Taiwan Province. It’s amazing to experience skiing here!” Li Shumei, a representative of the Taiwanese youth delegation, could not hide her joy. Jiang Minshan, who also encountered ice and snow for the first time, said: “The staff and coaches are very enthusiastic, and this experience is unforgettable.”

In addition to the daytime snow sports competitions, the cultural exchange event held on the evening of January 23 was equally imbued with warmth. Young participants from both sides gathered around a roaring bonfire, joining hands to sing iconic patriotic songs— “Citizen of China” and “Legend of the Loong”—their voices and laughter resonating vibrantly beneath the night sky. “Although the weather is cold, we feel an extraordinary sense of warmth when united—just as if returning home,” shared Taiwanese youth Li Wen, moved by the moment.

This event is guided by the Hubei Provincial Cross-Strait Exchange Promotion Association, jointly organized by the Xiangyang Cross-Strait Exchange Promotion Association, the Xiangyang Bureau of Culture and Tourism, and the Baokang County People’s Government. It not only features fun challenges and downhill competitions but also aims to deepen emotional connections between young people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait and enhance cultural identity through sports exchanges. Zheng Weixiang, Chairman of the Taiwan Youth Committee of the Xiangyang Taiwan-funded Enterprise Association, said, “We hope to use ice and snow as an opportunity to let more Taiwanese youth experience the cultural landscape and development vitality of Hubei Province, and build a bridge for long-term exchanges.”

The event organizers noted that Baokang County is endowed with abundant ice and snow resources from the Jing Mountain, and has established a dynamic, integrated ice and snow tourism framework—driven by the coordinated development of the Hengchong International Ski Resort, Meihuazhai Yunhai Ski Resort, and Liuzhuya Jiding Ski Resort. In recent years, Xiangyang has proactively pursued an integrated development model centered on the synergistic convergence of “sports + tourism + culture.” The successful hosting of this event not only highlights the region’s premium ice-and-snow resources and rich cultural heritage but also serves as a compelling illustration of ongoing efforts to foster interaction, integration, and spiritual resonance among young people across the Taiwan Strait. Ice and snow will inevitably melt, yet friendship forged in this moment will endure eternally. This ice and snow carnival—imbued with youthful vitality and the heartfelt warmth of fellow compatriots—has sown the seeds of enduring friendship across the Taiwan Strait in the hearts of every participant.