XIAMEN, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The main conference of the 18th Straits Forum took place on Saturday in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, where representatives and guests from both sides of the Taiwan Strait called for peaceful development and closer exchange while opposing separatism.
An annual platform for cross-Strait exchange since 2009, the Straits Forum this year came two months after the mainland unveiled a package of 10 policies and measures in April to promote cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, sending a positive signal for the development of cross-Strait relations.
Addressing the main conference, China's top political advisor Wang Huning called for advancing the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and national reunification.
Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, stressed that both sides of the Strait belong to one China.
Wang called for resolute opposition to "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and external interference, and for joint efforts to safeguard and develop the shared home of the Chinese nation.
He said the mainland stands ready to share development opportunities and achievements with Taiwan compatriots, and welcomes their participation in cross-Strait exchanges, cooperation and integrated development.
Wang expressed hope that people on both sides of the Strait, particularly young people, will continue to strengthen their identification with the Chinese nation, Chinese culture and the country, and work together to advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
While addressing the forum, Chang Jung-kung, vice chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, said people on both sides of the Strait belong to the Chinese nation, sharing the same origin and roots, and are bound by blood ties.
"A person who is a real Taiwanese is unequivocally a Chinese," he said.
Chang expressed hope that the two sides would expand exchanges and cooperation to improve collective well-being and jointly safeguard peace across the Strait, while contributing to national rejuvenation.
The ongoing 18th Straits Forum features 58 activities on exchanges in social welfare, sports, arts, fintech, agriculture, new media and other fields this year.
As part of the efforts to implement the policy package unveiled in April, a matchmaking and signing event was held on Saturday in Xiamen between mainland enterprises and Taiwan businesses and trade associations for the procurement of agricultural and fishery products including atemoya, pomelos and tea from Taiwan.
As the largest cross-Strait grassroots exchange event, the Straits Forum has seen more than 370,000 participants from across the Strait, including about 140,000 from Taiwan, over the past years, despite growing obstruction from Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities.
Although the DPP authorities have restricted government officials and civil servants from participating in this year's forum, which they smeared as a "platform for united front work," representatives from Taiwan voiced support at the main conference for more exchange and integration with the mainland.
"I'm grateful that I have taken the step of going back to my hometown, and that my children will put down roots on the mainland, in Fujian," said Kang Yung-ming, a rugby coach from Taiwan with an ancestral home in Fujian, sharing his experience of settling in the capital city of Fuzhou about three years ago.
A school teacher in Taiwan for 20 years, Kang moved to Fuzhou with his family at the invitation of the Fujian provincial rugby association to start a new career. Now he works as both a college teacher and the association's deputy secretary-general.
Designated as a demonstration zone for cross-Strait integrated development in 2023, Fujian has introduced a wide range of policies and measures to support Taiwan compatriots in studying, working, starting businesses, and living in the province.
"What I have experienced are not official slogans but tangible supports that make us truly feel the warmth of home," Kang said.
Su Heng, a political commentary vlogger from Taiwan, said that no matter how hard the DPP authorities try to obstruct cross-Strait exchanges, they cannot stop people on both sides of the Strait from reaching out to one another, nor can they halt the momentum of cultural, economic and technological cooperation.
Noting that many people on both sides of the Strait watch the same TV dramas, share the same internet memes, and use the same social media apps, Su said the two sides have been growing closer through everyday lives.
"The DPP authorities have imposed increasing restrictions on participation in the Straits Forum since coming to power. Nevertheless, many people have continued to come across the Strait for the event," Su said. "They have come in pursuit of more opportunities for a better future."
"The aspiration of the people will not be altered by any policies," she said. Enditem
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