On October 17th, in Fuzhou, a story emerged highlighting the romantic journeys of young people from Fujian and Taiwan, showcasing how love can transcend the Taiwan Strait.
More Taiwanese youth are bridging this narrow waterway with love, weaving heartfelt connections and crafting narratives of partnership in mainland China. “We learn in Fuzhou, we fall in love in Fuzhou, and we aspire to root our future deeply in Fuzhou,” said Jian Yixin from Taoyuan, Taiwan, during a recent interview. “Love can indeed cross the strait and overcome distances.”
Ten years ago, while studying at Fujian Normal University, Jian met the love of his life—Zou Xiaona from Putian. “I kept running into this girl during charity events organized by our school’s clubs, and I was really drawn to her kindness,” Jian recalled. The couple officially started dating in 2016 and after graduation, they took the leap into marriage, living out a romantic tale that evolved “from school uniforms to wedding gowns.”
Reflecting on their love story, Zou shared that she was moved by Jian’s sincerity and grounded nature. “We are just an ordinary couple with an ordinary story, growing from meeting to knowing to loving. Most importantly, we respect and embrace each other,” she emphasized.
This simple yet profound love has not only united Jian and Zou as life partners but also as business partners. Together, they ventured into the wine trade in Fuzhou. They have also joined the Fujian Environmental Volunteer Association, becoming members of the “Fuzhou-Taiwan Environmental Volunteer Lecturers Group,” dedicating their free time to volunteer service and environmental education.
Taiwanese native Gong Yuting humorously remarked, “I’m a local wife who was born and raised in Taoyuan, now married to a man in Fuzhou.” A decade ago, she was immersed in community education and development in Taiwan when an opportunity led her to Xiamen. During her time there, she met her husband and boldly followed her heart to Fuzhou.
Her husband, a quintessential “Fuzhou man,” is incredibly supportive, taking on a big share of household duties while encouraging her professional pursuits. Now, as a community builder and a “Fuzhou wife,” Gong is dedicated to fostering community engagement and cross-strait exchange, hoping to help Taiwanese residents find a true sense of home in mainland China. “Dreaming and building a life on the mainland, then starting a family—everything has unfolded just perfectly,” Gong expressed.
More young Taiwanese like Gong are opting to develop their careers in mainland China, and many cross-strait couples are also choosing to thrive here. Since 1988, when the mainland began processing marriage registrations for Taiwanese, over 400,000 cross-strait marriages have been established, with approximately one-third occurring in Fujian province.
Hong Qianman, originally from Changhua, Taiwan, met her husband Yang Tao online during her university years. “Through our daily shares, we found a lot of common ground, and our hearts gradually drew closer,” she explained. After thoughtful consideration, the couple decided to settle in Fuzhou.
In 2016, they launched a company focusing on “Internet + Sports,” organizing sporting events, managing sports facilities, and creating short videos to promote healthy lifestyles. During this time, they also got married and welcomed a lovely daughter. Recently, when Fujian Strait Bank announced openings for Taiwanese employees, Hong applied and successfully secured a position, marking a new chapter in her career in Fuzhou.
For Hong, the phrase “two sides of the strait, one family” encapsulates the sweet outcome of their ten-year romance and the warmth of their career and family life over the past five years. She wishes for more Taiwanese compatriots to share in her journey of dreams, love, home, and future.
