For a moment, 68-year-old Wang Renshou couldn't tell if he was in Fujian or in Taiwan.

The accountant from Taiwan declared that the dance performances at the opening of the China Museum for Fujian-Taiwan Kinship in Quanzhou of Fujian were authentic sights.

"These performances are as typical and popular folk culture in Taiwan as they are here in Fujian," Wang said.

Born and brought up in Quanzhou, Wang left for Taiwan in 1960 at the age of 22. As a regular guest lecturer at local universities in Fujian, this was not the first time for Wang to have visited his hometown, however, he looked as excited as his granddaughter, as they followed several thousand of others to the first museum in China dedicated to the showcase, research and development of Fujian-Taiwan kinship.

"I am glad finally there is a museum of this kind in Quanzhou," said the professor. "We thought of opening one in Taiwan for years, but haven't made it a reality. Quanzhou made it first and I am sure it is going to be very popular."

It was discovered that 86.4 per cent of the 23 million population in Taiwan Province are emigrants or descendants of emigrants from Fujian Province.

Discovering this, senior Chinese leader Li Changchun initiated the construction of the museum during his visit to Quanzhou in November 2004.

Located in the northwestern part of the city at the foot of the popular traffic destination, Qingyuan Mountain, the four-storey museum is home to more than 15,000 exhibits showcasing the minnan (South Fujian) lifestyle and the natural, historical and cultural bonds between the two provinces.

Temporary exhibitions are held on its third floor, where at the moment, there is a painting exhibition by artists from across the Straits.

Since its launch, the museum has attracted interest and support from people born and living across the Straits. Many scholars, architects and artists including Cai Guoqiang, the world-acclaimed artist who is best known for his work with gunpowder, have contributed their ideas, collections and works over the past year and a half.

Near the official opening of the museum, a work of art is mounted on the entrance hall wall, complete with characters of the most popular 180 Chinese surnames across the Straits dotted by bulbs installed in the back of the painting.

Wang was attracted to the painting at the first sight, as it reminded him of a 100-year-old banyan tree in Alishan, one of Taiwan's top tourist resorts.

During his visit to Quanzhou his hometown, Wang befriended a local grandmother, as they both stopped in front of a rain cape made of coconut fibre, or coir.

Though not as popular as it used to be, coir raincoats are musts for farmer families in Fujian and Taiwan provinces, where rain abounds throughout the year. The coats are so durable that they can be handed down to younger generations.

"There is a sense of familiarity while visiting the museum as most of the daily gears on display are still commonly used in Taiwan," said Wang. "I would recommend my friends and relatives back in Taiwan to come and have a look for themselves. A museum should be a place for people to come and go. There should be exchanges."

(China Daily June 1, 2006)