Gong Ling. Photo: Courtesy of Gong Ling

From Beijing, Taiwanese journalist-cum-writer Gong Ling has dedicated the past decade of her career to improving cross-Straits communication, enhancing links between Chinese mainland and Taiwan - but now, it's time for her to return home to Taipei, she says.

Making a name for herself in Beijing over the past 10 years, the 41-year-old author of From Taipei to Beijing (2010) and Amazing Mainland (2011) - books that attempt to dissect the unique relationship shared between the mainland and her native Taiwan - is well known for pushing the envelope to bridge misunderstandings between mainlanders and those on the island.

"I understand deeply that, from each and every aspect, there are huge differences between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan," she told the Global Times in a candid interview. "But I don't think this means that we cannot talk to each other sincerely; I want to dismiss the misunderstandings between the two sides by enriching people with knowledge about those on the opposite side of the bank."

Outspoken manner 

In 2005, she was said to be the first Taiwanese person to open a blog on the mainland, for which her posts about the cultural gaps between both sides continue to fuel heated exchanges among Net users who debate how best to have the two put their differences aside to seek common ground.

Gong has also persuaded top Taiwanese politicians to reach out to mainlanders by engaging in online discussion with them.

But perhaps she is best known among her media peers for her fierce gumption and outspoken ways. Her approach to finding answers, more aggressive than her mainland counterparts, even led the daughter of a former Chinese leader to hide in a toilet stall to avoid her questions.

And after From Taipei to Beijing's first print of 30,000 copies sold out three years ago, Gong quickly rose to fame on the mainland, dubbed by fans as "The Taiwanese who is closest with mainlanders."

In the book, Gong essentially contends that cultural differences as well as contrasting education systems, social atmospheres and political agendas are the root cause of misunderstandings between mainlanders and islanders.

But, she argues that the opposing views don't have to be a hindrance to relations, saying that both sides can learn from each other.

"The mainland authorities can learn about how to build more soft power from Taiwan, while the Taiwanese authorities should look to the mainland for how to develop their economy," said Gong.

Born in Taipei in 1972, Gong has been closely linked to the mainland since she was young by her grandmother, who was born in Beijing.

"She always said that she wanted to go back," said Gong, who believes that her interest in the mainland was triggered by her grandmother's roots. "I dreamed of visiting my grandma's hometown; I desperately wanted to know everything about the city."

After graduating from National Chengchi University, she landed a job as a reporter in Taipei, where she worked through the 1990s, covering Taiwan's parliament.

"Politics is part of life," she said. "We must cherish the hard-won democracy in Taiwan, and I always believed that I should be part of it."

'Not superior'

It is perhaps why Gong is so ruthless in speaking her mind.

However, her outspoken nature when commenting on various issues, mostly those concerning the differences between people and societies on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, has made many mainlanders uncomfortable.

Many Net users from the mainland believe that her remarks come from a place of superiority. They argue that Gong holds the mainland and its people to a Taiwanese standard, which is unfair, given that there are many socio-political and geographical differences between the two sides.

After reflecting upon what critics had to say about her comments, Gong has defended her mode of expression, saying that she has been largely misunderstood by mainlanders.

"You feel deprived and naturally think that I'm superior because you don't have what I do," she told caijing.com.cn early this year, in response to the criticism faced by mainlanders. "It has nothing to do with how I behave. You would still think the same thing even if I kept a low-profile."

Still devoted

While grateful for her celebrated career in Beijing, which has given her rich knowledge of the developing mainland, Gong said life on the mainland has taken a toll on her.

Despite the economic surge and government reforms on the mainland, she said that slow socio-political progress and a lack of transparency have left her feeling uneasy about making the mainland a permanent home for her and her fiancé.

But, just because she's packing her bags, that doesn't mean she's ready to call it quits on what she started here years ago.

She said that she still has every intention on continuing to close cultural gaps between the two sides.

Gong plans to go back to school for Chinese studies in Taipei and later hopes to pass on what she has learned to as many people as possible.

"I want more Taiwanese people to understand the mainland and vise versa," she said. "Now that I've been able to closely observe the mainland and its people, I think the most important thing I can do now is to share what I know with others."