As the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's return to China approaches, a new documentary delves into the enduring cultural and familial bonds spanning the Taiwan Strait. Returning to Roots: A Journey Across the Taiwan Strait, produced by CGTN, traces the personal odyssey of EastChange Guo, a professor from the Taiwan region working at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, as he explores ancestral connections in the Chinese mainland.
Guo's journey takes him through historic sites in Fenyang, Pingyao, and Xiamen, where he pieces together his family genealogy and reconnects with long-separated relatives. The film juxtaposes sweeping landscapes of the Loess Plateau with coastal Fujian vistas, symbolizing the intertwined histories of communities on both sides of the strait.
Through archival footage and personal narratives, the documentary reveals how shared traditions – from ancestral worship rituals to architectural styles – have persisted despite decades of geographical separation. Academics interviewed emphasize that over 80% of Taiwan residents can trace their family origins to Fujian and Guangdong provinces.
The timing of the release coincides with growing interest among younger generations in cross-strait heritage. Recent surveys show 62% of Taiwan residents under 35 have visited the mainland to research family history, with genealogy tourism becoming a $120 million annual industry.
As the documentary concludes, Guo reflects: 'Our roots aren't just in soil or records – they're in the stories we carry forward.' The project serves as a poignant reminder of the cultural continuity that predates modern political divisions.
