Teen cyclists from Taiwan embark on cultural journey across mainland

A cycling team named "Bike Angel," consisting of about 30 teenage riders from Taiwan, embarked on a journey on the Chinese mainland over the weekend to explore the traces of the shared cultural belief in Mazu, a sea goddess revered by both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

During the expedition, which will continue until July 23, the teenagers — mainly from primary and secondary schools in rural areas of Taiwan — will delve deeper into the mainland's cultural landscape, enriching their understanding and fostering cross-Strait cultural connections.

Before traveling to the mainland, the team completed a five-day cycling tour along the west coast of Taiwan. They cycled past significant Mazu temples, including the Beigang Chao-Tian Temple and Lukang Tianhou Temple, covering a total of 300 kilometers. They will also visit Mazu temples on the mainland.

The ride marks the 12th edition of an annual cross-Strait charity cycling event started by Taiwan resident Yang Min-chung. This initiative aims to help teenagers from the island realize their dream of cycling on the mainland. This year, participants include financially disadvantaged students and those with physical and mental disabilities.

After completing a 35-kilometer cycling tour in Shanghai on Sunday, Chang Yu-cheng, a teenager from Hsinchu, noted that he found Jinshan district in Shanghai very similar to the downtown area in Taiwan. He expressed his eagerness to see more diverse scenery in the following days and to buy souvenirs for his family.

The tenacious teenage riders, aged between 10 and 15, will spend the next few days riding in mainland cities such as Tianjin, Langfang in Hebei province, and Huzhou in Zhejiang province. They are escorted by about 20 college student volunteers from both sides of the Strait, who have been preparing for their support roles for a week.

Wang Yan, a volunteer from Tangshan in Hebei province responsible for bike maintenance, is meeting teenagers from Taiwan for the first time. He said that before coming to Shanghai, he reviewed his bike repair skills and practiced playing the harmonica. "There may be emergencies such as weather events and accidents, which made me a little worried, but generally, I feel happy and excited about the journey," he said.

Li Maosheng, an 84-year-old Taiwan entrepreneur who has been living in Shanghai for nearly 30 years, said that the "Bike Angel" activity represents a real bond and connection between people on both sides of the Strait. He hopes more opportunities can be offered to Taiwan students to study, find jobs, and start businesses in Shanghai.

Li Ren contributed to this story.