Experts tout unofficial exchanges across Straits

Forum organizers released a list of 41 events to help improve relations between young people

With political ties strained, unofficial exchanges are the most effective way of repairing deteriorating cross-Straits relations, experts said during a forum on the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations in Beijing on Thursday.

The two-day forum on the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations was hosted by nongovernmental organizations from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, and attracted about 200 delegates from both sides of the Straits. They discussed issues such as politics, the economy, culture, society and youth.

Hung Hsiu-chu, chairwoman of Taiwan's Kuomintang party, participated in the forum's group talks on economic cooperation and exchanges among young people from both sides, during her five-day visit to the Chinese mainland, which also ended on Thursday.

Since the Democratic Progressive Party took over leadership of Taiwan in May, cross-Straits relations have worsened and most official communication has been suspended, said Yan Anlin, director of the Shanghai Institute for International Studies.

"Unofficial exchanges should continue, despite the changing political situation," Yan said at the forum's closing ceremony. "The forum certainly provides an opportunity for this."

Delegates have reached agreements on many issues and have made plans for future cooperation, said Wei Po-tao, economic consultant of the KMT's think tank.

While hosting the forum's group talk on economic cooperation, Wei said Taiwan should deepen cooperation with the Chinese mainland, including joining the Belt and Road Initiative, instead of going backward due to political change.

"Although high-level communication has been suspended, business among normal people from both sides should continue," Wei said.

Hsu Shu-hua, a public representative of Taiwan who hosted a group talk on youth exchanges, said events like the forum will provide more opportunities for young people from both sides.

At the forum's closing ceremony, organizers released a list of 41 events to improve exchanges across the Straits. Most events will invite Taiwan students and young intellectuals to the Chinese mainland to study or start a business.

"The political situation has changed, so the way of communicating should change with it," said Zhou Zhihuai, executive vice-president of the National Society on Taiwan Studies.

"The door between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland has almost closed," he said. "Unofficial talks could help to open the door again."