A GROUP of 37 teachers and students from five mainland universities concluded their nine-day visit to Taiwan on Sunday.

The visit marked the first one made by mainland universities to the island for exchanges over more than three years.

When mainland students visited the Chinese Culture University in Taiwan, students from the two sides of the Taiwan Strait gave a well-received traditional Chinese music performance.

“When the music rose, I truly felt that the two sides of the Strait shared the same cultural root,” said Chen Kaidi, who played Chinese zither in the performance.

Chan Yu-hsiang from Taiwan University said he found no difficulties or barriers in talking with mainland peers.

Calling the visit a constructive try, Ma Ying-jeou, former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, said that young people from the two sides of the Strait should have such regular exchanges every year.

(Xinhua)