Dai Xiaofeng, an official with the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, attended the launch ceremony and gave a speech.

He extended a warm welcome to delegates from Taiwan and said that the bond between people from the mainland and Taiwan cannot be separated. He hoped the activity will help enhance communication and friendship between the younger generation from both sides.

Wang Jinghui, head of the 39-member Taiwan delegation, expressed his appreciation for the Tianjin people’s hospitality and invited students in Tianjin to visit Taiwan.

Mu Qing, a student of the Tianjin Haihe Middle School, went to meet her Taiwan peers at the airport. She saw no distinct difference between her mainland friends and family and their Taiwan counterparts as she was able to communicate with them easily. “He is talkative,” she said giggling and pointing to a boy from Taiwan.

(People's Daily 08/17/2001)