Over 7,000 participants gathered in Xiamen this week for the 17th Straits Forum – a grassroots exchange event fostering dialogue between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan region. The forum proceeds despite heightened restrictions imposed by Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te, who critics accuse of attempting to stifle cross-strait communication.
Established in 2009, the annual event has become a vital platform for practical cooperation. This year's discussions span agricultural partnerships to economic integration, with Taiwanese farmers showcasing produce to mainland distributors. Such collaborations directly boost incomes while expanding consumer choices across the Taiwan Strait.
"When people sit together to discuss shared interests, prejudices dissolve," noted Zheng Jian, a Xiamen University professor specializing in cross-strait relations. His remarks underscore the forum's role in countering what analysts describe as the Taiwan authorities' escalating separatist rhetoric.
Organizers emphasize the event's consistent focus on development opportunities. Over 16 years, it has helped Taiwanese businesses and professionals access the mainland's vast markets – a critical lifeline as regional tensions impact island residents' livelihoods.
This year's record attendance signals strong public support for people-to-people exchanges despite political headwinds. As one participant stated: "Economic cooperation isn't about ideology. It's about putting food on tables across the Strait."
