The Chinese mainland-produced animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2, based on ancient Chinese mythology, has sparked discussions among people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait and attracted many Taiwan compatriots to the mainland to watch the movie.

A delegation of nearly 40 Taiwan students, organized by the Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, on a five-day visit to the mainland starting on Monday, watched the film at a Beijing cinema on Thursday night, as it passed 10 billion yuan ($1.38 billion) in box office receipts that same day.

"I felt very honored that with a box office surpassing 10 billion, I also contributed to it myself," said Li Hsun-yi, a Taiwan delegation participant, who was particularly impressed by the special effects and fight scenes in the final part of the film.

Another Taiwan student, Pan Ko-shen, said that most of the animated films he watched in his childhood were from Europe, the United States or Japan. However, in recent years, the mainland's animation industry has been gradually rising, with Ne Zha 2 being a typical example.

"These animations are rooted in the Chinese culture, and they are our own stories. I believe this is the best way for us to pave our own path," he said.

Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the foundation and the leader of the group, said he was deeply moved by the film's depiction of family bonds as his mother passed two years ago, and it's also a sentiment shared by many students, who were moved to tears.

In an exchange trip on the mainland in December, Hsiao accompanied former Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou on a visit to Chengdu Coco Cartoon Co in Sichuan province — the company that produced Ne Zha 2 — where they viewed a promotional video of the film.

"I was amazed back then and promised to bring students to watch it once the movie was released," he said, adding that "if I had known the movie would break the 10-billion mark, I should have shaken hands with the director, Jiaozi, more".

Hsiao said that mainland-produced animated films are on par with Western counterparts in terms of technology and innovation, providing Taiwan students with new appreciation and experiences.

As the mainland creates films about Nezha, Taiwan can also make movies related to Mazu, a sea goddess who blesses seafarers with safety and is widely revered in Taiwan, said Hsiao, who added that both sides of the Strait should learn from and inspire each other.

Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, on Wednesday welcomed Taiwan compatriots to travel to the mainland to watch films and visit filming locations.

Zhu also expressed hope that the film will be released in Taiwan soon so that more people there can experience the charm of Chinese culture firsthand and understand the robust development of the mainland's film industry.

"The enthusiasm of the public in Taiwan for films like Ne Zha 2 reflects a shared historical memory and deep emotional resonance regarding Chinese culture among compatriots on both sides of the Strait," she said.