A forum for Cross-Straits shared destiny

Editor's note: Zheng Jian, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is deputy director of the Research Committee of the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification, and a professor at the Taiwan Research Institute of Xiamen University. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The 17th Straits Forum in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, starting on June 15, has attracted more than 7,000 people from all walks of life to attend.

Since he came to power, Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te has shown unprecedented hostility towards the Straits Forum, the largest annual Cross-Straits grassroots exchange event held in port city Xiamen in Fujian, east China, for 16 consecutive years. Ahead of the 17th edition, which started on Sunday, he took extreme measures to restrict exchanges across the Taiwan Straits.

But despite the Democratic Progressive Party's blatant intimidation, the courageous people of Taiwan have not bowed to the pressure and are participating enthusiastically.

The Straits Forum, established in 2009, focuses on expanding Cross-Straits people-to-people exchanges and deepening integrated development. The topics discussed at the gathering are closely related to the concerns of the broadest masses, ranging from agriculture to economic cooperation. 

For instance, farmers in Taiwan can showcase their products at the forum and explore cooperation opportunities with distributors from the Chinese mainland. The collaboration both increases their income and enriches the "vegetable basket" and "rice bag" of mainland consumers.

It is also a forum for peace‌, established for the harmonious coexistence of people across the Straits. As the Cross-Straits peace progress faces unprecedented and severe challenges under the Taiwan authorities' "independence" mentality, compatriots on both sides of the Straits, especially those in Taiwan, must play their role to defuse this perilous situation and not remain silent. When people from both sides sit together to discuss common topics face-to-face and express their views peacefully and rationally, misunderstandings and prejudices dissipate.

Over all, the Straits Forum is a channel for development‌, established for the well-being of people across the Straits. Regardless of which political party is in power on the island and regardless of changes in the Cross-Straits situation, its unwavering intention has always been to empower Taiwan compatriots to seize development opportunities on the Chinese mainland.

Over the years, it has fostered Cross-Straits economic and trade cooperation and resolved issues such as production and sales problems faced by some small and medium-sized agricultural/fishery product enterprises. It has supported employment and entrepreneurship for the youth in Taiwan by providing internships and job opportunities on the mainland, along with resources for entrepreneurs, policy support and experience sharing.

By participating in the Straits Forum, compatriots in Taiwan can share in the mainland's development opportunities, gain more prospects and tangible benefits, and develop confidence about their growth on the mainland.

Most notably, ‌the event symbolizes an irresistible trend. The ascent of the East and decline of the West, the rejuvenation of China and the demise of the "Taiwan independence" trouble-mongering are unstoppable historical trends. The Chinese nation will inevitably achieve its rejuvenation.

As the prospect of a better future life for people on both sides becomes apparent, the forum plays a significant role in promoting the peaceful reunification of the mainland and the island. "Taiwan independence" separatists cannot obstruct compatriots across the Straits from pursuing and realizing a better life. The tide of history cannot be resisted, the interests of compatriots cannot be violated, and the retrograde "Taiwan independence" actions will inevitably fail.

The two sides of the Taiwan Straits are part of one China, and the people on both sides are one family bound by blood. Amid unprecedented global changes unseen in a century, the compatriots in Taiwan should recognize the broader trend, stand on the side of the Chinese nation, and seize the opportunities presented by the era. Together with the mainland, they should share the same destiny and stay united.

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