"I have observed that the Taiwan Straits Forum has become younger in recent years, and many young representatives from Taiwan have actively participated in and made speeches. As the most vigorous and fresh blood, they are adding more vitality to cross-strait relations." Lin Yanchen, a Taiwan doctor from the School of International Relations of Peking University, For the second time, as a member of the Chinese Youth Development Federation in Taiwan, I participated in this session of the Straits Forum. When Lin Yanchen attended the Straits Forum and Mazu Cultural Activity Week, he revealed that in 2021, his brother and sister would find their roots in the mainland with the "half sheet genealogy" left by their grandfather. During this forum, they will take their father who came to the mainland from the island to pay homage to their ancestors in Putian, Fujian Province, and renew the kinship between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits.

Lin Yanchen's grandfather, Lin Wenfang, was from Putian, Fujian Province. In 1947, he went to Taiwan to visit his married sister, but he had to stay in Taiwan because of the current situation. It was nearly half a century since he left his hometown. More than 30 years ago, Lin Wenfang returned to Putian, Fujian Province, to visit his relatives, and brought back the "Half Zhang Genealogy" to Taiwan for later generations. "He told our descendants not to forget their roots," said Lin Yanchen.

In the summer of 2021, with the help of many parties, Lin Yanchen found his grandfather's eight nephews Lin Shouping, nine nephews Lin Shouluan and other mainland relatives in Fujian within one day, although there were only a few letters and half of the genealogy left by his grandfather. "The efficiency is amazing". Lin Yanchen recalled that during the family search, what impressed him most was that when his sister Lin Peiying heard one of the uncles say that one of his father's last words was: "We still have family members in Taiwan, and we should treat them well in the future", she couldn't help crying.

Plan to visit Mazu Temple for reunion dinner

"Tomorrow we will go back to Putian with my father to visit his relatives. This is my father's first official reunion with his relatives on the mainland. The 16th is Father's Day, which is also a gift we gave him." Lin Yanchen said: "The plan is full. My grandfather grew up in Linrun's former residence, and my father would like to see it in person. We should also go to Meizhou Island with our relatives to pay a visit to Mazu Temple, listen to the tidal sounds of Meizhou Island, and have a reunion dinner. "

Ta Kung Pao reporter Su Rongrong