Straits Forum underway in E China, focusing on mainland-Taiwan cooperation

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Delegates from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan agreed to promote people-to-people exchanges and trade as the best way to ensure smooth relations between the two sides, as the ninth Straits Forum opened in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province on Sunday.

Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said at the opening ceremony of the seven-day event that the mainland would remain committed to economic and social development across the Taiwan Strait.

Yu Zhengsheng (L), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, meets delegates presenting at the Straits Forum on June 17, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Hung Hsiu-chu, chairperson of the Taiwan-based Kuomintang party also attended the ceremony.

"This year marks the 30th anniversary since the two sides broke isolation. Cross-Strait economic and social integration has become the direction for further cooperation," said Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office at a press conference prior to the forum.

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