Editor's note: Yan Zeyang, a special commentator for CGTN, is an assistant researcher at the Institute of Northeast Asian Studies, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The main meeting of the 16th Straits Forum was held in Xiamen, Fujian Province in southeast China, on June 15. Held since 2009, the Straits Forum has become an important platform for promoting extensive exchanges and cooperation between various sectors across the Taiwan Straits. It has far-reaching influence on exchanges between the Chinese mainland and the Taiwan region in economy, culture, and youth communication and demonstrates that peace, development, exchange, and cooperation are the common pursuit of compatriots on both sides of the Straits, which cannot be stopped.

The four major sections of the forum, namely grassroots exchanges, youth exchanges, cultural exchanges, and economic exchanges, cover various fields from high-end technology and the financial sector to down-to-earth issues for people from different walks of life. It also concentrates on cross-Straits rural areas, modern agriculture, and medical and health issues, showcasing the results achieved in social integration, economic integration, and the overall development of Fujian.

Besides, the forum places special emphasis on youth exchanges and provides opportunities for young people to learn from one another through different activities. The 16th Straits Forum will reportedly offer over 1,600 employment opportunities for young people from Taiwan, promoting understanding and cooperation on both sides of the Straits.

Moreover, to deepen and expand cross-Straits economic integration, the forum promotes cooperation agreements between institutions and enterprises, and facilitates cooperation projects in Fujian covering technology finance, health, and intelligent manufacturing. These projects not only facilitate the cross-Straits economy, but also pave the way for Taiwan compatriots to share the development opportunities of the mainland and participate in the development process of Chinese modernization.

Additionally, grassroots cohesion across the Straits is enhanced as the forum deepens the understanding and identification of compatriots on both sides. Through activities closely related to people's lives, it spurs interaction at the grassroots, bringing them closer.

It's worth noting that the Straits Forum highlights the shared aspirations of compatriots on both sides of the Straits for peace, development, exchange, and cooperation, laying a solid foundation for the peaceful, stable, and prosperous development of cross-Straits relations. Peaceful and stable cross-Straits relations are conducive to economic and social progress, as well as to enhancing the well-being on both sides. By strengthening exchanges and cooperation, both sides can jointly address misunderstandings and achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

The peaceful development, exchange and cooperation of cross-Straits relations is a historical trend and also the aspiration of the people. With cross-Straits exchanges deepening, the cohesion among compatriots will increase and the fields of exchange and cooperation will expand.

As demonstrated by the 16th Straits Forum, compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits are willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation, not only enhancing mutual understanding and recognition, but also promoting peaceful development of cross-Straits relations. They should continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation, promote peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, and jointly create a better future.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on X, formerly Twitter, to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)