Experts and scholars from both sides of the Taiwan Straits recently established three cross-Straits associations, one digital, one marine and one in health science, and signed three scientific and technological personnel exchange and project cooperation agreements at the Cross-Straits Expert Forum on Science and Technology, which was held in Xiamen City, southeast China's Fujian Province, according to the Fujian Southeast Network.

Luo Hui, director general at the Department of International Affairs (Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Exchange Office) of the China Association for Science and Technology, said at the forum that cross-Straits scientific and cultural exchanges and cooperation should be promoted, integration and development of scientific and technological circles should be deepened, and the well-being of Taiwan compatriots be enhanced.

Luo put forward three proposals for cross-Straits relations, one is to build a consensus on the integration and development of both sides of the Taiwan Straits, the second is to support academic groups on both sides to deepen cooperation, and the third is to support young scientific and technological personnel.

Li Dejin, an official in Fujian Province, said he hopes people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits share the achievements of scientific and technological innovation and the dividends of exchanges and cooperation.

He said it is hoped that experts, scholars and young college students will promote high-level self-reliance and self-improvement.

The opening ceremony was attended by over 300 people, including science and technology experts and scholars from both sides of the Taiwan Straits, leaders of sci-tech associations, entrepreneurs and young college students from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao.

The forum is a part of the 15th Straits Forum, which was jointly held by the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, the Fujian provincial government and 82 institutions and organizations from across the Taiwan Straits.

An expert also urged strengthening cooperation and exchanges in digital-related research in another sub-forum.

Chen Guangjin, director at the Institute of Sociology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said such cooperation will help promote digital economy, society and governance across the Taiwan Straits.