The 16th Straits Forum will kick off on Saturday in the coastal city of Xiamen in southeast China's Fujian Province. Some 50 events will be held during the week-long forum, which is focused on promoting cultural and economic exchanges and communication between people across the Taiwan Straits. Those from diverse backgrounds from both the mainland and Taiwan will attend the opening ceremony on Saturday and various sub-forums. Some 7,000 people from the Taiwan region have come in the spirit of the close ties. Chen Zhiyong, deputy director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of Fujian Province, said it shows that the terror and obstruction by the Democratic Progressive Party authorities are not supported by the people.