Ma Ying-jeou, former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, praised the mainland's sincerity and dedication to enhancing cross-Strait exchanges during a recent visit to Fujian province.

Ma is currently leading a delegation of Taiwan students on a trip to Fujian and Gansu provinces, which began on Saturday and runs through June 27. It is his fourth visit to the mainland.

On Tuesday, the delegation visited Xiadang township in Ningde, Fujian, a once-impoverished mountain village that has undergone significant upgrades. President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made three visits to Xiadang while working in Fujian as part of efforts to lift the area out of poverty.

Strolling through the village's alleys — lined with traditional eastern Fujian architecture and surrounded by lush mountains and clear streams — Ma described the scene as "rich with classic charm".

Located deep in the mountains, Xiadang once lacked basic infrastructure such as roads, running water and electricity. In July 1989, Xi, then secretary of the CPC Ningde Prefectural Committee, launched poverty alleviation efforts there. He returned twice more, in 1989 and 1996, while serving as deputy secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee. Years of sustained development have since brought new life to the township.

After learning about Xiadang's transformation, Ma said he was deeply impressed by the mainland's rural reconstruction and poverty alleviation work.

While in Fujian, the delegation also visited the headquarters of Xiamen Airlines and CATL, a leading global battery manufacturer based in Ningde. Ma acknowledged Xiamen Airlines' role in strengthening cross-Strait connectivity through its direct flights between the mainland and Taiwan.

"I've brought students from Taiwan on each of my visits to the mainland, not only to broaden their horizons, but also to build bridges of communication between people across the Strait," Ma said during a meeting on Tuesday with Song Tao, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

"The more strained cross-Strait relations become, the more important rational and practical exchanges are," he added.

Song encouraged more young people from Taiwan to visit the mainland and witness the country's modernization firsthand.

On Wednesday, the delegation explored several historical sites in Fuzhou, including the Taiwan Guild Hall; the former residence of Lin Juemin, a revolutionary during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911); and the former residence of Lin Zexu, a Qing Dynasty national hero known for resisting foreign incursions.

A student surnamed Ko said she was deeply moved by the stories of these historical figures.

"It's impressive to see in real life the people and places we've only read about in textbooks," she said.

Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the island-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, said: "Separated only a strait away, Taiwan and Fujian share the same roots, and our blood ties run deeper than anything. The cultural closeness makes us feel at home."

Hsiao also praised Fujian's efforts to attract young people from Taiwan to work and live in the province.