Reporters from both sides of the Taiwan Straits embarked on an eight-day trip to conduct joint interviews on Sunday in Urumqi, capital of Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

The annual event, held since 2000, is co-organized by the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and the All-China Journalists Association.

During these trips, reporters conduct in-depth interviews and write reports. The event, which is staged in various regions, provides a platform for them to learn Chinese history and culture, witness socioeconomic development and realize the benefits of cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation.

Ma Xiaoguang, who works as the head of the information bureau of the Taiwan affairs office and leads the trips, said on Sunday that the joint interview event was once held in Xinjiang in 2015, and since then, the region has seen great changes.

Media can take advantage of this year's trip to investigate Xinjiang's historic achievements in economic development, social stability and ethnic harmony.

Ma called on the reporters to show compatriots on both sides of the Straits how beautiful Xinjiang is through their reports.

About 50 reporters from 27 media outlets from the Chinese mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong are participating in the event this year. They will visit Urumqi, Ili Kazak autonomous prefecture and Kashgar prefecture.