More than 40,000 fireworks lit up the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday as Xiamen, a coastal city in the Chinese mainland's Fujian Province, and Kinmen island jointly celebrated the Lunar New Year with a synchronized display. The 30-minute show, launched at 8 p.m. on the first day of the Year of the Horse, marked a 39-year tradition emphasizing cultural kinship between the two regions separated by less than two kilometers of water.
Crowds gathered on both sides of the Strait, with Kinmen residents performing lion dances and festive music underscoring shared traditions. Chang Yang-yang, a Kinmen resident who attended for the third time, noted: "When both sides set off fireworks together, it shows we are one family." Taiwan businessman Han Ying-huan in Xiamen added: "Compatriots across the Strait share aspirations for national rejuvenation."
The event coincided with recovering cross-Strait travel, which hit a six-year high in 2025 with over 5 million visits. Fujian resumed group tours to Kinmen and Matsu in 2024, with Shanghai residents set to regain access soon. "I hope more mainland friends visit to experience our culture," Chang said, reflecting growing tourism momentum.
Beijing recently reaffirmed commitments to deepen cross-Strait exchanges, including cultural collaborations and streamlined travel. Peng O-ya, a Taipei native in Xiamen, shared the fireworks via video call with Taiwan relatives, stating: "We must work hand in hand to fulfill our shared aspirations."
