The cross-Straits agricultural cooperation forum opens in Boao, in south China's Hainan Province, October 17. The Chinese mainland and Taiwan opened a forum Tuesday to boost agricultural cooperation and promote peace and development.

Lien Chan (L), honorary chairman of Taiwan's Kuomintang, shakes hands with Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Consultative Conference, at the cross-Straits agricultural cooperation forum in Boao.

Lien Chan, honorary chairman of Taiwan's Kuomintang, lectures at the forum.

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Consultative Conference, lectures at the forum.

(China Daily October 18, 2006)