Local artists entertain guests from Taiwan at the opening ceremony of the First Straits Forum. Hu Meidong / China Daily
The first Straits Forum was held in four cities in Fujian province from May 15 to 22 last year with more than 10,000 people participating, including 8,000 from 25 cities in Taiwan.
Held in Xiamen, Fuzhou, Quanzhou and Putian, the forum was hailed as a milestone in cross-Straits communications.
"Cross-Straits communications are after all communications between the people," said Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultation Conference, at the forum. "A peaceful relationship relies on efforts made by people from both sides."
"More understanding can bring people closer to each other," said Zeng Qingcheng, one of the participants.
The forum began following the first direct voyage from Taiwan to Meizhou Island on May 15, when the passenger liner Ocean Lala arrived in Putian with 400 pilgrims honoring Mazu, the Goddess of the Sea, in her hometown in Fujian.
Co-sponsored by 54 organizations, the forum included 18 events including the opening ceremony, a Cross-Straits Business and Trade Fair, Straits Art and Culture Week and the non-governmental exchanges.
Subjects discussed during the Straits Forum included religious, economic, cultural, health and sports issues and included participants from various walks of life from both the mainland and Taiwan.
Organizers said the success of the forum "fully demonstrated that people-to-people exchange is always the highlight and major driver of cross-Straits ties".
"It also symbolizes non-governmental exchanges between the two sides have entered a new stage."
