Egret Island Gathers Hometown Sentiments, Integration Opens a New Chapter — The 18th Straits Forum Grandly Opens in Xiamen
- Written by Media Outreach
XIAMEN, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 15 June 2026 - On the morning of June 13, the 18th Straits Forum grandly opened in Xiamen. As the largest, most widely attended, and most grassroots-oriented non-governmental exchange event across the strait, this year's forum once again uses the people as a bridge and integration as its theme, bringing together representatives from all walks of life across the strait to share hometown sentiments, discuss common development, and safeguard peace, injecting a strong and warm current into the steady improvement of cross-strait relations. Wang Huning, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and Zhang Ronggong, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang Party, attended the conference and delivered speeches. 
Unchanged Original Aspiration for 18 Years, Non-governmental Exchange Remains Vibrant Themed "Expanding Non-governmental Exchanges, Deepening Integrated Development," this forum continues its consistent characteristics of being people-driven, grassroots-oriented, and broad-based. It has planned four major sectors: grassroots exchanges, youth exchanges, cultural exchanges, and economic exchanges, totaling 58 series of activities. Approximately 7,000 participants from various sectors in Taiwan are expected to attend, covering diverse fields such as people's livelihoods, industry, youth, culture, and sports. Among these, 12 events are hosted by Xiamen. Since its inception in 2009, the Straits Forum has weathered 18 years of challenges, always adhering to the core concept that "people on both sides of the strait are one family." Regardless of changes in the cross-strait situation, the forum has always remained rooted at the grassroots level and close to people's hearts, becoming the most important non-governmental platform for compatriots on both sides to eliminate estrangement, enhance friendship, and move towards each other. With the continuous acceleration of the construction of the Cross-Strait Integrated Development Demonstration Zone in Fujian, this forum is even more closely aligned with policy dividends, making the achievements of cross-strait integration more tangible, more beneficial, and closer to the lives of grassroots people. Speeches from High-level Officials Convey Goodwill and Draw a New Blueprint for Cross-Strait Integration During the speech session of the conference, Wang Huning precisely elaborated on the current tone and future direction of cross-strait relations, with a firm stance, warm language, and a focus on public sentiment. He stated that the important high-level interactions on cross-strait relations in April this year charted the course and injected momentum into the peaceful development and deepening of exchanges and cooperation across the strait. Both sides of the strait belong to one China and share a common destiny. It is essential to uphold the core belief in the indivisibility of our territory, nation, and civilization, firmly adhere to the "1992 Consensus," resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and external interference, and jointly safeguard the common homeland of the Chinese nation. Chinese mainland continues to uphold the principles of closeness, sincerity, benefit, and tolerance in its approach to Taiwan, fully implementing equal treatment for Taiwanese compatriots and enterprises. It opens its vast market and abundant opportunities, welcoming people from all walks of life in Taiwan, young friends, and small and medium-sized enterprises to seize the opportunities presented by Chinese mainland's high-quality development, pursue their dreams, and take root. Looking ahead to the "15th Five-Year Plan" development blueprint, Chinese mainland will continue to expand the space for cross-strait cooperation. It hopes that young people on both sides will deepen their recognition of Chinese culture, embody the confidence and self-reliance of the Chinese people, and jointly embark on the new journey of national rejuvenation. Before the opening ceremony, Wang Huning also warmly met with representatives of Taiwanese guests, fully conveying Chinese mainland's sincerity and goodwill in cherishing non-governmental cross-strait exchanges. Resonant Voices from Taiwanese Compatriots, Shared Roots and Hearts Safeguard Peace Across the Strait The deepest emotional tone of this forum lies in the blood ties and heart-to-heart connection between people on both sides of the strait. Chang Jung-kung, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang Party, expressed sincerely in his speech that people who are authentically from Taiwan are also dignified and upright Chinese people. Compatriots on both sides share the same origin, bloodline, and common interests. He pointed out that peace across the strait is the greatest well-being for people on both sides. He hopes for the continuous expansion of non-governmental exchanges, deepening of industrial integration, and enhancement of livelihood...
Unchanged Original Aspiration for 18 Years, Non-governmental Exchange Remains Vibrant Themed "Expanding Non-governmental Exchanges, Deepening Integrated Development," this forum continues its consistent characteristics of being people-driven, grassroots-oriented, and broad-based. It has planned four major sectors: grassroots exchanges, youth exchanges, cultural exchanges, and economic exchanges, totaling 58 series of activities. Approximately 7,000 participants from various sectors in Taiwan are expected to attend, covering diverse fields such as people's livelihoods, industry, youth, culture, and sports. Among these, 12 events are hosted by Xiamen. Since its inception in 2009, the Straits Forum has weathered 18 years of challenges, always adhering to the core concept that "people on both sides of the strait are one family." Regardless of changes in the cross-strait situation, the forum has always remained rooted at the grassroots level and close to people's hearts, becoming the most important non-governmental platform for compatriots on both sides to eliminate estrangement, enhance friendship, and move towards each other. With the continuous acceleration of the construction of the Cross-Strait Integrated Development Demonstration Zone in Fujian, this forum is even more closely aligned with policy dividends, making the achievements of cross-strait integration more tangible, more beneficial, and closer to the lives of grassroots people. Speeches from High-level Officials Convey Goodwill and Draw a New Blueprint for Cross-Strait Integration During the speech session of the conference, Wang Huning precisely elaborated on the current tone and future direction of cross-strait relations, with a firm stance, warm language, and a focus on public sentiment. He stated that the important high-level interactions on cross-strait relations in April this year charted the course and injected momentum into the peaceful development and deepening of exchanges and cooperation across the strait. Both sides of the strait belong to one China and share a common destiny. It is essential to uphold the core belief in the indivisibility of our territory, nation, and civilization, firmly adhere to the "1992 Consensus," resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and external interference, and jointly safeguard the common homeland of the Chinese nation. Chinese mainland continues to uphold the principles of closeness, sincerity, benefit, and tolerance in its approach to Taiwan, fully implementing equal treatment for Taiwanese compatriots and enterprises. It opens its vast market and abundant opportunities, welcoming people from all walks of life in Taiwan, young friends, and small and medium-sized enterprises to seize the opportunities presented by Chinese mainland's high-quality development, pursue their dreams, and take root. Looking ahead to the "15th Five-Year Plan" development blueprint, Chinese mainland will continue to expand the space for cross-strait cooperation. It hopes that young people on both sides will deepen their recognition of Chinese culture, embody the confidence and self-reliance of the Chinese people, and jointly embark on the new journey of national rejuvenation. Before the opening ceremony, Wang Huning also warmly met with representatives of Taiwanese guests, fully conveying Chinese mainland's sincerity and goodwill in cherishing non-governmental cross-strait exchanges. Resonant Voices from Taiwanese Compatriots, Shared Roots and Hearts Safeguard Peace Across the Strait The deepest emotional tone of this forum lies in the blood ties and heart-to-heart connection between people on both sides of the strait. Chang Jung-kung, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang Party, expressed sincerely in his speech that people who are authentically from Taiwan are also dignified and upright Chinese people. Compatriots on both sides share the same origin, bloodline, and common interests. He pointed out that peace across the strait is the greatest well-being for people on both sides. He hopes for the continuous expansion of non-governmental exchanges, deepening of industrial integration, and enhancement of livelihood...