The 18th Straits Forum convened in Xiamen, Fujian Province, on Saturday, drawing hundreds of participants from both sides of the Taiwan Strait for discussions focused on trade, cultural exchange, and grassroots engagement — one of the few remaining platforms where individuals from across the strait meet directly.
The forum, established in 2009 as an annual platform for cross-Strait interaction, features 58 activities spanning social welfare, sports, arts, financial technology, agriculture, and new media. A procurement matching event was also held between mainland enterprises and Taiwan businesses for agricultural products including atemoya, pomelos, and tea, according to Chinese state media.
Speaking at the main conference, Wang Huning, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, called for advancing peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. Wang stated that both sides of the Strait belong to one China and opposed what he described as separatist activities and external interference, according to Xinhua.
Chang Jung-kung, vice chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, also addressed the forum. He said people on both sides of the Strait share common origins and roots, and expressed hope for expanded exchanges and cooperation to improve collective well-being.
The forum follows a package of 10 measures announced by the mainland in April this year aimed at promoting cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation. The policies covered areas including trade facilitation, cultural and educational exchanges, and support for Taiwan businesses operating on the mainland. Fujian Province, designated as a demonstration zone for cross-Strait integrated development since 2023, has introduced a range of supporting measures to attract Taiwan residents and enterprises.
Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities have restricted government officials and civil servants from attending this year's forum, which they have described as a platform for united front work. Despite these restrictions, Taiwan representatives at the conference voiced support for greater integration with the mainland, with some sharing personal stories of relocating to Fujian for work and family.
Over its history, the Straits Forum has recorded more than 370,000 participants from across the Strait, including approximately 140,000 from Taiwan, according to Xinhua. Organisers have described the forum as the largest cross-Strait grassroots exchange event, although participation numbers have fluctuated in recent years amid shifting political dynamics and travel restrictions.
This year's edition takes place amid continued tensions between Beijing and Taipei, with the DPP administration maintaining restrictions on official-level cross-Strait exchanges. The forum remains one of the few remaining large-scale platforms for direct grassroots interaction between participants from both sides, a function that organisers say has become increasingly important as official channels have narrowed.
Sources: Xinhua
