Key facts
- Beijing is hosting the 18th Straits Forum to promote cross-strait exchanges.
- Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party has banned municipal and county government officials from attending.
- Wang Huning, Beijing's top official on Taiwan affairs, stated that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait require a "joint answer" from both sides.
Beijing is hosting the 18th annual Straits Forum, an event aimed at fostering cultural and economic exchanges between mainland China and Taiwan. The forum is proceeding despite Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) explicitly forbidding municipal and county government officials from attending, an escalation from previous advisories. Wang Huning, Beijing's top official responsible for Taiwan affairs and the Communist Party's fourth-ranking member, addressed the forum, stating that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are complex issues requiring a "joint answer" from people on both sides. He noted that despite "obstacles," enthusiastic participation from Taiwan demonstrates a shared aspiration for peace and prosperity.