The Straits Forum Conference kicked off on the morning of the 13th in Xiamen. Prior to the conference, Wang Huning, member of the Standing Committee of the CCP Political Bureau and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, first met with Taiwanese guests attending the forum, including KMT Vice Chairman Chang Jung-kung and Kinmen legislator Chen Yu-jen.
According to United Daily News, Wang Huning affirmed Chang Jung-kung’s visit and stated that the mainland will, together with the vast majority of Taiwanese compatriots, firmly strive for peace across the Strait, for the well-being of the people on both sides, and for the rejuvenation of the nation.
Chang Jung-kung said that, given the current breakdown in official consultation and contact mechanisms between the two sides, the positive relationship between the KMT and the CCP, as well as civilian exchanges across the strait, serve as the mainstay for peace across the Strait and in the Taiwan Strait. He emphasized that “only peace can bring prosperity to Taiwan”.
This meeting was held at 9 am on the 13th at the Xiamen Conference Center. On the mainland side, attendees included Wang Huning, Director of the Taiwan Affairs Office Song Tao, President of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait Zhang Zhijun, and Fujian Provincial Party Secretary Zhou Zuyi.
On the Taiwan side, participants included Chang Jung-kung, Chairman of the Non-Partisan Solidarity Union Lin Bing-kun, New Party Vice Chairman Lee Sheng-feng, People First Party advisor Wang Yu-cheng, KMT Kinmen legislator Chen Yu-jen, as well as President of the National Federation of Taiwan Compatriots’ Investment Enterprises Li Zhenghong and Want Want Group Vice Chairman Chou Hsi-wei.
At last year’s Straits Forum, Wang Huning met with Taiwan’s former President Ma Ying-jeou. At that time, Wang praised Ma for visiting the mainland four times in three years on ancestral visits, actively promoting youth exchanges across the strait, and fostering Chinese culture, setting an example for removing barriers and obstacles to cross-strait exchanges.