On July 5, the 2026 Cross-Strait Youth Canal Travel Activity kicked off, bringing together 400 young people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait. They appreciated the cultural heritage of the canal, showcased their talents on stage, and forged deep cross-strait friendships through enthusiastic exchanges and interactions.

That morning, young people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait visited Qingjiangpu Experimental Primary School. The campus steeped in a love of reading, its cultural corridor rich in heritage, and the vibrant characteristic sports activities prompted the Taiwanese youth to stop and take photos.

At 9:30 a.m., the opening ceremony commenced in the school auditorium. A short film titled "Huai'an-Taiwan Unity, Enduring Friendship" was screened, reviewing the history of youth exchanges between Huai'an and Taiwan. Performances such as a robot opening dance, the group dance "Galloping Ponies," the sketches "The Future Is Mine" and "AI for Chasing Dreams," and the song "Light Up the Future" were staged in succession. Traditional cultural programs like the classical dance "Clouds and Moon Over the Serene Court," the Peking Opera "Children Performing a Great Show," and the guzheng ensemble "Music of a Flourishing Era" resonated deeply with the audience.

The opening ceremony also announced a series of sub-projects under the 2026 Cross-Strait Youth Canal Travel Activity, covering various fields such as science and technology competitions, cultural study tours, and practical experiences, building a broad platform for deep exchange and two-way interaction between youth from both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

That afternoon, the Cross-Strait Primary and Middle School Student Robot Exchange Competition kicked off at the Huai'an School to Beijing Normal University. Taiwanese students worked side-by-side with their Huai'an partners to complete building, programming, and debugging tasks, learning from each other through competition.

During their stay in Huai'an, the Taiwanese youth will also visit the ancient town of Hexia and the Xiyou World of Adventure to immersively explore the ancient heritage of the canal, appreciate the well-known classic stories of Journey to the West, and understand the unique urban culture of Huai'an through their reflections during the journey.