By: Julian Holbrooke
A provincial satellite channel importing two Taiwanese TV dramas usually wouldn’t draw much notice. But the June 12 announcement in Xiamen is huge. It’s not just about what viewers can watch; it’s a major shift in cross-strait cultural exchange policy. Fujian’s Southeast TV becoming the first to import Taiwanese dramas under new measures is a big deal.
The 18th Strait Forum · Strait Audio-Visual Season in Xiamen had various projects. Southeast TV brought in shows like “The Bright Side Without You” and “I Am Married…But!”. This lines up with cross-strait exchange measures from the Taiwan Affairs Office in April 2026, allowing high-quality Taiwanese audio-visuals on the mainland. Industry folks say it reduces content barriers and opens up creative cooperation.
Behind the scenes, a Cross-Strait Audio-Visual Copyright Exchange Center got official approval. It has over 20,000 episodes of copyrighted programs, 30,000+ minutes of archival materials, and 400,000+ minutes of Minnan-language dubbing resources. Its functions include copyright services, content transactions, and more. This shows policymakers are building long-term cultural exchange mechanisms.
Fujian’s broadcasting sector acted fast. Southeast TV, with decades of focus on Taiwan-related programming, turned a policy opening into an actual partnership. Whether others follow will decide the full impact. For now, it’s clear: cultural exchange lasts when policy, content, and support institutions work together.
Author bio: Julian Holbrooke, an overseas international relations analyst contributing to major European daily newspapers.