People from various sectors in the Taiwan region have voiced hope for more dialog and exchanges as the 17th Straits Forum, a widely welcomed platform for cross-Strait exchanges, is set to open on Sunday in Xiamen City, east China's Fujian Province.
Former Kuomintang (KMT) chairman Ma Ying-jeou will visit the mainland from June 14 to 27, leading a delegation of Taiwan youth to Fujian and Gansu provinces. The group will attend the Straits Forum and participate in cultural exchange activities.
Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, said enhancing mutual understanding between young people across the Taiwan Strait through exchanges is a key objective of this trip.
"We truly hope that through this journey, the students of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation can personally experience Chinese civilization and culture. More importantly, they can feel the DNA of the Chinese nation imprinted in our blood as descendants of the Yan and Yellow emperors. This is extremely important. After they go to the mainland for exchange, they will naturally dispel many rumors and misunderstandings when they return," he said.
Hsiao emphasized that deepening exchanges and cooperation reflects the shared aspiration of compatriots across the Strait, and such efforts cannot be hindered by any form of suppression from the Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities.
"Every time Mr. Ma Ying-jeou went to the mainland, he was warmly welcomed by our compatriots. When we attended the Straits Forum or made visits, many friends encouraged us, saying that cross-strait exchanges must continue - no matter what kind of suppression or obstacles may appear. Only by persisting can there be hope for both sides," he said.
Despite the obstruction of the Taiwan authorities, over the years, more and more compatriots from Taiwan have gone to the mainland to study, work, and trace their roots, and cross-Strait non-governmental exchanges have never been interrupted. Experts on the island believe that maintaining and expanding such exchanges is the only correct approach.
"I said, why always rely on outside reports? Why not see for yourself and listen to the real voices? If official channels for cross-strait exchanges are blocked, we should still explore other ways to let these voices be heard," said Sun Juo-yi, a history professor from Taiwan's Chung Hsing University.
"Nothing can stop this - it's the will of the people. We are one family, sharing the same roots. I hope more young people and friends from Taiwan will join these exchanges. We can truly understand each other, coexist, and thrive together. The key is to go there and express our goodwill in person," said Chi Chia-lin, chairman of Taiwan's Reunification Alliance Party.
Taiwan residents look forward to more cross-Strait dialog, exchanges
