On October 20, the “Craftsmanship and Unity: Cross-Strait Artisan Exchange Event 2024” kicked off in Fuzhou, attracting around 200 guests from both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Participants included representatives from various industries in mainland China, industry experts and scholars, vocational school students, as well as representatives from different sectors in Taiwan.
Among the attendees was Taiwanese student Hsieh Chien-Huang, who participated in the traditional apprenticeship ceremony. He stated that the use of ancient apprenticeship rituals highlights the importance of skill inheritance, while also offering him a new perspective on vocational education.
“In the modernization of the Chinese nation, theoretical advancements have reached a certain level. It is essential to put theories into practice, making vocational skills education increasingly important,” Hsieh remarked. Invited to the event, he felt he gained “immensely,” experiencing diverse aspects of education, such as fashion design, floral art, tea ceremony, and pet grooming.
As a doctoral student at Jinan University, Hsieh expressed his desire to connect with vocational education experts and teachers from both sides in the future, not only as a personal interest but also as a potential career pathway.
Taiwanese culinary decoration artist Lai Lung-Chu, who has 29 years of industry experience, was honored with the title “Famous Artisan of Min and Taiwan.” He showcased his “Fish Transformation Dragon” culinary sculpture, which features distinct Eastern characteristics.
In an interview, Lai noted that during his exchanges with peers from the mainland, he was impressed by the exquisite and lifelike carving techniques utilized there. He acknowledged that both sides share a common pursuit of excellence but pointed out that in Taiwan, there tends to be a greater emphasis on creativity. He hopes that the future partnerships between the precision of mainland craftsmanship and the creativity found in Taiwan will foster more opportunities for collaboration.
At the event, Fujian Agricultural Vocational Technical College, along with the Taiwan Worker Education and Vocational Training Association, unveiled a plaque designating their collaborative partnership. The association’s chairman, Kong Hsiang-Ko, emphasized that culture is fundamental to any nation or ethnicity and must be reflected in daily life aspects. He pointed out that Min and Taiwan artisans are practitioners of cultural spirit in reality.
“Fujian and Taiwan each boast unique cultural characteristics and strengths. The cultural elements underlying these traditions stem from the same source. The works produced by artisans from both sides reveal shared cultural themes and a sense of humanity,” Kong added. He expressed hope that through showcasing artisan achievements, both sides would learn from each other, and that innovative approaches would enhance the quality of life.
In the afternoon, a Cross-Strait Vocational Education Development Forum took place, where experts from both areas engaged in in-depth discussions about the future of collaborative vocational education, providing new ideas and directions for cooperation and growth. The exhibition that accompanied the event focused on the themes of “Hundred Crafts, Hundred Industries” and “Collaborative Development,” showcasing the exquisite traditional techniques as well as the skills learned by young students.
