On Saturday, the 16th Straits Forum, with the theme of "Expanding Civil Exchanges, Deepening Integrated Development", convened in Xiamen, Fujian province. People from all walks of life across the Taiwan Strait gathered in the city to discuss integration.

Each year the forum reflects the hot topics in cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation and considers the practical needs of Taiwan compatriots, which help it to uphold its brand as the "People's Forum".

For example, the forum has facilitated the implementation of a batch of cross-Strait integrated development projects, promoting the development of integrated cross-Strait development demonstration zones to a deeper level. It has also introduced a series of measures such as opening a convenient service area for Taiwan compatriots, supporting Taiwan compatriots and enterprises in investing and starting businesses on the mainland. The forum has also created job opportunities on the mainland for Taiwan youths.

These policies and measures aimed at facilitating exchanges, promoting integration, and enhancing well-being have yielded fruitful results for the Straits Forum over the past 16 years. Regardless of how the situation across the Taiwan Strait changes, the mainland has always been steadfast in promoting people-to-people exchanges and cooperation across the Strait.

Despite the dangerous signals of seeking Taiwan "independence" released by the Lai Ching-te authorities and their intensified obstruction and restrictions on cross-Strait exchanges, about 7,000 representatives of Taiwan political parties, industry representatives, community leaders, and guests from all sectors actively responded and participated in this year's forum, unanimously expressing that "only through exchanges can there be peace and development". This shows that the belief that "a good cross-Strait relationship benefits Taiwan" has already taken root in people's hearts.

More and more Taiwan compatriots realize that only through exchanges, cooperation, and mutual understanding can tensions be eased, and they hope to continue to use the Straits Forum to gain a deeper understanding of the mainland, seize opportunities to pursue and realize their dreams on the mainland, and jointly promote cross-Strait integrated development. The strong public opinion foundation will surely drive a more comprehensive and extensive wave of cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, and any obstruction will be futile.

It is believed that with the continuous deepening of exchanges and integration, more Taiwan compatriots will join mainland compatriots in firmly defending the common home of the Chinese nation. With the concerted efforts of compatriots across the Strait, the reunification of the island with the motherland will surely be achieved.

- CHINA MEDIA GROUP