The 2nd cross-Straits youth network literature competition kicks off in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province on July 8. [Photo/Zhetai Weixun WeChat]

A writing competition for literature lovers from both sides of the Taiwan Straits under the age of 40 kicked off in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province on July 8.

The 2nd cross-Straits youth network literature competition, forming part of the cross-Straits youth forum, will last for a year and is open to literature lovers under 40 from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, who can submit their written works of literature via an online platform.

After the preliminary and reassessment stages, the finalists will be scored by criteria (70 percent weight) and the votes of judges and readers (30 percent weight). 

"I submitted my works after learning about the competition last year. If I can win the prize, my works might gain attention from the film industry,”said a Taiwanese writer who won the first prize at the first edition of the competition.

Jiang Shengnan, vice chairwoman of the Zhejiang Provincial Internet Writers Association, said that though the two sides of the straits are miles apart in geographical distance, there're no boundaries in communication in today's internet age. She added that the competition builds a platform for literary writers to facilitate mutual friendships and exchange on ideas about literature.

The deadline of submissions is June 30, 2019.

Jiang Shengnan (left), vice chairwoman of the Zhejiang Provincial Internet Writers Association, poses with a Taiwan writer (right) at the launch of  the 2nd cross-Straits youth network literature competition in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province on July 8. [Photo/chinanews.com]