Woman from Taiwan makes Fujian home

Tseng Chih-ying fell in love with Meixiong village in Fujian province the first time she visited four years ago.

With rivers surrounding the village, villas with red roofs, walls painted in yellow and green trees all year, it is just what a village is supposed to look like, she thinks.

Tseng was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and graduated from Shih Hsin University there. She worked as reporter and curator before coming to Fujian in 2018.

That year, Tseng joined a competition involving rural construction among youth from across the Straits, and later decided to remain in Meixiong.

"In 2018, the competition was held in Meixiong. We talked with many people and were touched by their stories," Tseng recalled.

In the relocation village following the construction of a hydropower station, many residents had left their old homes. To preserve their memories, a museum was designed to keep the history of the old village. For example, a raincoat made with straw, an abacus and plowing machines from the last century are on display at the small museum, which was opened last August.

Emotionally attached to the village and people here, Tseng stayed and started her businesses, a homestay named Olive Lake and a coffee house.

"Tourists here can have a vacation, including fishing and boating. It is the lifestyle I dreamed about," she said.

Like Tseng, there are now hundreds of talented people from Taiwan participating in rural construction in Fujian province.

"My father is happy to see my dream came true here in Fujian. I hope to travel to more places in the mainland and learn more different customs and lifestyles here," Tseng said.