Discussions in Pingtan, Fujian province, have renewed attention on Austronesian history and cross-Strait cultural ties, as experts, scholars and representatives of Taiwan's indigenous communities called for broader recognition of what they described as shared heritage.

"We should face the historical fact that today's Austronesian speakers trace their origins to the Chinese mainland, though many people are still unaware of this," said Xu Guirong, vice-president of the Pingtan International Institute of Austronesian Research, during a roundtable held as part of the 2026 Cross-Strait Marine Cultural Exchange Platform recently.

Austronesian-speaking communities span a vast area from Southeast Asia to the Pacific islands, including many of Taiwan's indigenous groups.

Xu cited a 2020 study published in the journal Science by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which said early Austronesian-speaking populations emerged in Fujian and nearby areas of southern China about 8,400 years ago.

He also called for greater inclusion of Austronesian history in school curricula and stronger efforts to challenge what he described as distorted historical narratives.

One roundtable examined cultural origins and heritage, with participants discussing Austronesian traditions, the preservation of indigenous customs and historical links.

"The Chinese nation has long been shaped by cultural integration," said Liao Shih-chieh, a representative of Taiwan's Pingpu people and an advocate of intangible cultural heritage preservation.

"For people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to live peacefully on this beautiful and united land and build a prosperous and harmonious China together is a blessing for both sides," he said.

Kimi Sibal, a historian based in Hualien, compared tattooing traditions among indigenous groups in Taiwan with those of ethnic communities on the Chinese mainland, including the Li people in Hainan province, saying they shared similarities in creation myths and cultural practices.

An exhibition on maritime civilization opened on Tuesday alongside the forum, featuring archaeological displays, indigenous artifacts and immersive audio exhibits that highlighted shared maritime cultural heritage across the Strait.

Contact the writers at liuboqian@chinadaily.com.cn