Cross-Straits Forum to attract more participants

The annual Cross-Straits Forum, a weeklong event for grassroots exchanges between people from the mainland and Taiwan, will start on June 16 in Fujian province, organizers said.

Chen Ling, an official from the forum's organizing committee, said at a news conference in Fuzhou on May 24 that the forum, now in its fourth year, will attract more participants from the island than in previous editions.

The forum welcomes more members from the Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan's main opposition party, to boost exchanges and mutual understanding across the Straits, she said.

This year's forum will focus on more than 20 activities including discussion, leisure chats, galas, religious worship, economic and trade discussions.

Xiamen will be a major city to host the event, while sideline activities will be held in cities across the province, which is the mainland's closest place to Taiwan.

Chen said a special forum will be launched this year to discuss the increasing number of cross-Straits marriages. Cross-Straits couples will share their experiences and discuss related issues with marriage administration officials from 11 provinces.