Xintian village in Fujian, ancestral home of Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te, has become a symbol in Beijing’s efforts to strengthen historical and religious ties across the Taiwan Strait. Visitor numbers have surged following a popular live stream, and local authorities are promoting it as a cross-strait cultural exchange hub. The clan association secretary urged Lai to contribute to national reunification.
Fujian province, the mainland Chinese region closest to Taiwan, serves as a key site for Beijing’s messaging toward the island. Xintian village in Pinghe county is the ancestral home of Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te. The Lai Clan Ancestral Hall, a repository of centuries of clan history, drew attention after Taiwanese influencer Chen, known as “Gym Boss,” live-streamed his visit to his 1.3 million followers.
Clan association secretary Lai Hanzhong told Chen in an interview: “All of us hope he will repent and learn from his mistakes, and do more good for the cause of national reunification.” Beijing regards Taiwan as part of China and views William Lai as an “obstinate separatist,” while not ruling out force for reunification.
Visitor numbers have spiked since the live stream, and the local government has urged the clan association to transform the village into a center for cross-strait cultural exchange, according to a clan member. A new display hall for this purpose is under construction and is set to be completed by the end of the year.
