Ma Ying-jeou, former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, is leading a delegation of Taiwan youth on a visit to the mainland from June 14 to 27.
On Sunday, the delegation attended the 17th Strait Forum in Xiamen City, east China's Fujian Province which sits opposite the Taiwan island. It is the first time for Ma to attend activities related to the Strait Forum.
Ma, in delivering a speech at the forum, emphasized that communication is key to the development of cross-Strait relations, and that the youth represent the future hope for both sides.
"Although there are many hard challenges facing the development of cross-Strait relations today, the emotions and exchanges between the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait cannot be interrupted. No political force can suppress or stop the sincere interactions between the people on both sides of the Strait, nor can it sever the natural feelings of kinship shared by the Chinese people on both sides of the Strait," Ma said at the forum.
Peaceful development of cross-Strait relations is a common expectation of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, Ma said, expressing the hope that on the common political basis of adhering to the the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence", cross-Strait exchange and cooperation can be deepened, and mutual trust and identification between the compatriots on both sides of the Strait can be enhanced, in jointly striving for revitalization of the Chinese nation.
During the stay in Xiamen, the delegation visited headquarters of the Xiamen Airlines on Monday. Over the years, the Xiamen Airlines has worked to build an "air bridge" for direct flights across the Taiwan Strait, bringing about development opportunities for both sides.
"The first direct flight across the Taiwan Strait was operated by the Xiamen Airlines, which was followed by the recruit of flight attendants from Taiwan. In fact, we can see a large number of flight attendants from Taiwan working at the Xiamen Airlines, and some have worked as the chief of attendants. This is actually a very good piece of news for Taiwan people, as they can live well on both sides of the Taiwan Strait," said a youth from Taiwan surnamed Lin.
The delegation will visit northwest China's Gansu Province after leaving Fujian.
Former KMT chairman Ma Ying-jeou leads Taiwan youth delegation on visit to mainland
