Date: September 5, 2017
MAC Press Release No. 62
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) held the opening ceremony for the 2017 Cross-Strait Relations Young Student Camp on September 5, 2017, at the Chientan Overseas Youth Activity Center in Taipei. Minister Chang Hsiao-yueh stated in a speech at the ceremony that, "The future of young people is the future of the nation." She encouraged the energetic young students in the audience to understand the advantages of Taiwan, develop their individual strengths, and create infinite possibilities. Minister Chang indicated that the present age is different from the past. We must understand today’s competitive environment in which we are situated, stand on our own feet in Taiwan, and face not only mainland China, but the whole world.
Minister Chang said that Taiwan has insisted that cross-Strait relations be peaceful and stable. It has also played a positive and active role as a defender of peace and stability in the Western Pacific region. The government advocates that both sides should meet, talk, and negotiate without setting preconditions. The most important aim of cross-Strait policy is to defend a peaceful and stable environment across the Taiwan Strait. Such an environment is vital to economic development and social stability, and enables the young students to learn with peace of mind and find good jobs in the future.
The MAC said that this year's Cross-Strait Relations Young Student Camp was arranged by Shih Hsin University. About 100 students and student club leaders from various colleges and universities participated. For the learning activities, experts and scholars of cross-Strait, economic, and foreign affairs were invited to lead discussions and interact with students during lectures on "The Government's Cross-Strait Policy," "Developments in Mainland China," "International Relations and Foreign Policy," "Taiwan's Advantages and Development Status" and other topics. In addition, the students visited Nanpu Ecological Village to see first-hand the results of community building. They also visited Indigo Dyeing House to experience Taiwan's cultural and creative industry. The engaging and lively learning activities were intended to deepen awareness and understanding of cross-Strait relations and Taiwan's advantages among young students in Taiwan.