As a large, extensive and influential event for civil exchanges across the Taiwan Strait, the recent 16th Straits Forum, held in Xiamen,Fujian province and co-hosted by 86 organizations from both sides of the Strait, has expanded exchanges and deepened integrated development, with a focus on civility, grassroots involvement and broad participation.

During the forum, four main areas of exchange - grassroots,youth, cultural and economic -offered a rich array of activities,with 50 events showcasing highlights. Approximately 7,000 guests were invited to attend, including representatives from Taiwan political parties, industries, social organizations, as well as individuals from labor, youth, women's,science, education, culture,health, agriculture, fisheries,water conservancy and religious groups. People from both sides of the Strait shared their feelings of kinship and discussed moving forward together, expressing a common desire for peace,development, exchange and cooperation.

"Water flows naturally, moving with the current," said Zhao Chunshan, an honorary professor at Tamkang University's Graduate Institute of China Studies in Taiwan. He used these words to capture the essence of cross-Strait exchange, cooperation and integrated development. He expressed his pleasure at seeing more young people participate in the Straits Forum, bringing their energy and fresh ideas to this annual gala.

This year's event catered to the needs and lives of people on both sides of the Strait with a wide range of events, from high-end technology and finance summits to grassroots forums for the public, workers and women.

In recent years, the Straits Forum has become more youth-oriented, with exchanges among such groups a crucial component of this edition.

The youth segment of this year's forum featured 13 events, including the Straits Youth Forum and the Cross-Strait Sports Carnival,with more than 2,000 Taiwan youths. At the Straits Youth Forum, a baseball team formed by young players from both sides of the Strait garnered much attention. The team, named the Fujian Provincial Baseball Team, recently participated in the China Baseball League, marking the first time a team was formed jointly by players from both sides of the Strait to compete in a national-level event.

"Previously, I often came to the Chinese mainland for competitions, but I never expected to have the opportunity to coach a provincial team," said Tseng Hua-Wei,head coach of the team, who is from Taiwan. He hopes to use his personal experience to show Taiwan players that the Chinese mainland offers numerous beneficial policies and a large stage for their talent.

In September 2023, the Opinions of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council on Supporting Fujian in Exploring A New Path for Integrated Development across the Taiwan Strait and Building A Cross-Strait Integrated Development Demonstration Zone was issued. Since then,progress in Fujian-Taiwan economic and trade cooperation;realization of equal treatment for Taiwan compatriots and enterprises; and integration in various fields between Fujian and Taiwan has advanced. This topic has become one of the most discussed at this year's Straits Forum.

Zhou Xiwei, vice-chairman of Want Want Group, said that merely discussing exchanges between the two sides is no longer sufficient; cooperation is essential."What truly matters is that Taiwan compatriots view the mainland as a place for their future development, as their home," Zhou said.

Zhang Wensheng, deputy director of the Taiwan Research Institute at Xiamen University, noted that over its 16-year history, the Straits Forum has broadened the path of civil exchanges across the Strait.This reflects the mainstream public opinion on both sides favoring peace, development, exchange and cooperation. National unification and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation are common aspirations of Chinese people on both sides of the Strait, an irresistible trend and a historical inevitability.