The 14th Straits Forum, known as the largest, most covered, and most influential folk exchange gala on both sides of Taiwan Straits, kicked off on July 12 with its main venue set in Xiamen. Inheriting the theme "expanding people-to-people exchanges and deepening integrated development", this forum keeps focusing on and serving grassroots citizens and young populations. As the first to share development opportunities with fellow countrymen in Taiwan, this form joins hands with them to carry forward traditional Chinese culture and boost the integrated development of both places in terms of economy and society. The organizing committee of the forum arranged not only the forum assembly, but also 43 activities and 12 municipal activities in four sections: youth exchanges, grassroots exchanges, cultural exchanges, and economic exchanges, featuring a combination of Internet-based and physical sessions held in both centralized and decentralized manners. Around 2,000 Taiwan business people attended the offline forum. Xiamen is now devoted to becoming the "first station" for Taiwan business people and companies who desire a career in Chinese mainland, and also an exemplary, core, and leading area for integrated development across the strait.
