The ninth Cross-Strait Youth Development Forum opens in Hangzhou. [Photo/Tide News]

The ninth Cross-Strait Youth Development Forum opened in Hangzhou on July 17, bringing together more than 1,000 guests and young people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

At the opening ceremony, four young representatives shared stories of cultural exchange, entrepreneurship, technological innovation and personal growth.

Yueju opera performer Chen Lijun spoke about her performances in Taiwan, where traditional Chinese opera brought audiences together across the Strait. Entrepreneur Yuan An-su, who has built a high-tech materials company in Zhejiang, shared his two decades of innovation and entrepreneurship on the Chinese mainland.

Su Heng, chairwoman of the Taiwan Cross-Strait Economic and Trade Exchange Association, reflected on the shared spirit of perseverance among entrepreneurs on both sides.

Rokid co-founder Xiang Wenjie highlighted new opportunities in AI, noting the potential for Taiwan's creative and technological strengths to complement the mainland's market, industrial ecosystem and application scenarios.

Together, the four stories underscored how culture, entrepreneurship, shared values and technology are creating new connections among young people across the Strait.

Yueju opera performer Chen Lijun speaks about her performances in Taiwan. [Photo/Tide News]