Actress wins fans with patriotic performances

Chang Chun-ting, a young actress from Taiwan, recently starred in a stage show in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, retelling the story of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) on the Chinese mainland.

The 29-year-old from Kaohsiung said that she wanted to promote the fighting spirit of the Chinese people in their war of resistance against aggression.

"Our mainland roots should not be forgotten," Chang said. "I hope more young people in Taiwan can learn about the history and truth beyond what's written in textbooks."

The show, Pengcheng Yinghao, or Heroes in Pengcheng, depicts various heroic scenes from the war, with Chang saying the scene where she cried over compatriots who'd sacrificed their lives during the war left a deep impression on her.

"I hope the audience can truly connect with the story when they watch the drama," she said.

Chang has dedicated herself to performing in dramas that showcase patriotic spirit through storytelling with the backdrop of revolutionary history. These experiences have set her apart from many other Taiwan actors. This patriotic choice, as she describes, has also drawn criticism and negative comments from some on the island. She admitted the challenges are real, but said that support from fans and friends in Taiwan motivates her to keep going.

About a decade ago, Chang worked as a choreographer in Taiwan. After appearing on a local TV show, she gained popularity and launched her acting career.

"My family originally came from Beijing, so I've always wanted to help promote cross-Strait exchanges and communication," said Chang.

In 2022, videos of her singing patriotic songs and performing short dramatic skits went viral on popular short-video platform Douyin. She said the platform helped her reach audiences on both sides of the Strait, and has been an effective way to show the real life for each side.

Later, she realized that face-to-face communication with her peers on the mainland was far more meaningful than connecting through a screen. Since, she has taken part in several stage plays and musicals on the mainland, most of which focus on the history of the war of resistance against Japanese aggression.

"My work has taken me all over the mainland, and I've grown used to life here," said Chang.

"I'm delighted to be the first Taiwan friend for many people on the mainland," she said, expressing gratitude to those who have supported and cared for her.

Since March, Chang has been starring in a historical dance drama about Qu Yuan, a renowned poet from the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), in a scenic area in Zhangjiajie, Hunan province. She said performing in the cultural tourism sector has allowed her to learn more about the history and culture of different parts of the mainland.

"Tourists are always excited to see an actress from Taiwan performing on stage, which makes me very happy as well," Chang said.