Cross-Strait Forum

Cross-Strait Forum. The Cross-Strait Forum is a major annual event focused on fostering people-to-people exchanges between Mainland China and Taiwan. Organized primarily by the Chinese Communist Party's Taiwan Affairs Office and the Fujian Provincial Government, it is the largest non-governmental platform for dialogue across the Taiwan Strait. Since its inception in 2009, the forum has aimed to promote economic cooperation, cultural integration, and social interaction, attracting participants from various political parties, businesses, and civic groups from Taiwan.

History and background

The forum was first convened in May 2009 in Fujian province, following a period of warming relations under Taiwan's then-President Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomintang (KMT). Its establishment was part of a broader strategy by Beijing to deepen ties with Taiwan through grassroots engagement, complementing official channels like the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) and the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF). The choice of Xiamen and other Fujian cities as host locations is strategic, leveraging historical, linguistic, and familial links with Taiwan. The initiative was endorsed by senior Chinese Communist Party officials, including then-Vice President Xi Jinping, who emphasized its role in promoting the peaceful development of cross-strait relations.

Organization and structure

The forum is organized under the guidance of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, with operational support from the Fujian Provincial Government and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce. The Kuomintang and other Taiwan-based parties like the People First Party and the New Party have been key participating organizations, often sending delegations led by figures such as former Vice President Vincent Siew. The event typically spans several days and features a main conference alongside numerous sub-forums and thematic activities. These parallel sessions cover diverse areas including trade, tourism, media, youth entrepreneurship, and agricultural cooperation, involving local governments from cities like Quanzhou and Fuzhou.

Major meetings and themes

Each annual gathering centers on a specific theme, such as "Expanding People-to-People Exchange and Promoting Integrated Development." Notable meetings include the 2015 forum, which emphasized the One-China policy and the "1992 Consensus," and the 2018 event held shortly after the United States Congress passed the Taiwan Travel Act. The 2021 forum, conducted partly online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, focused on post-pandemic economic recovery and technological collaboration. High-profile attendees have included Wang Yang, Yu Zhengsheng, and Zhang Zhijun, who have delivered keynote speeches outlining Beijing's policy positions. Side events often feature matchmaking for Taiwanese businesses, cultural performances, and tours to historical sites like Gulangyu.

Significance and impact

The forum is regarded by Beijing as a cornerstone of its united front strategy to cultivate support for unification within Taiwanese society. It has facilitated numerous commercial agreements and memoranda of understanding, particularly benefiting Taiwanese small and medium enterprises and farmers seeking access to the mainland market. The event has also spurred local integration projects, such as the development of the Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone. By consistently engaging with Taiwanese civil society, including aboriginal groups and religious organizations, the forum aims to build a narrative of shared cultural heritage and common destiny, countering the platform of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party.

Controversies and challenges

The forum has faced significant political controversy, particularly after the Democratic Progressive Party's Tsai Ing-wen assumed the presidency in 2016. Taipei has accused Beijing of using the event for political propaganda and to undermine Taiwan's sovereignty, leading to increased scrutiny and travel restrictions for Taiwanese officials. A major diplomatic incident occurred in 2019 when the China Central Television presenter Li Hong referred to the forum as a tool for "promoting the peaceful unification of the motherland," sparking protests in Taiwan. The forum's activities are often juxtaposed against Taiwan's domestic political landscape, including debates over the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area and reactions to military exercises by the People's Liberation Army in the Taiwan Strait.

Category:Cross-strait relations Category:Recurring events established in 2009 Category:Forums in China