The 14th Straits Forum and the 5th Cross-Strait Grassroots Governance Forum was held in Xiamen on July 13. More than 200 grassroots public opinion representatives from both sides of the Taiwan Straits and representatives from relevant sectors had extensive and in-depth exchanges on the theme of "Flourishing and developing rural culture and tourism economy". Su Hui, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of the Central Committee of the Taiwan League, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. Hung Hsiu-chu, former Chairman of the Chinese Nationalist Party,delivered a video address.
If the rural areas thrive, the country thrives. Without the comprehensive revitalization of rural areas, there will be no great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The Taiwan compatriots are members of the big family of the Chinese nation. In the process of promoting rural rejuvenation and realizing the great rejuvenation of the nation, they cannot be absent. Su Hui said that the integrated development of the two sides of the Straits is a new strategy and a new measure put forward by Secretary General Xi Jinping under the new historical conditions to promote the peaceful reunification of the two sides of the Straits. It is an effective way to achieve mutual benefit and win-win situation. The development of rural cultural and tourism economy in Taiwan started early and have many new ideas and more experience, while the motherland mainland has a large market, strong demand and good prospects. It is a coincidence that this "meeting point" and "intersection area" of Cross-Strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation has strong complementarity and can realize mutual benefit and win-win situation. It is hoped that compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits can join hands to develop rural culture and tourism economy and promote integrated development across the Straits.
In a video address, Hung Hsiu-chu said the forum on Cross-Strait grassroots governance has become a "business card" and brand for cross-Straits exchanges. This year's forum focuses on the theme of "Flourishing and Developing the Cultural and Tourism Economy", which captures the new needs of consumer groups and the breakthrough of the cultural and tourism economy during the epidemic period. The development of rural cultural tourism economy can explore more cultural and economic values while protecting the natural ecology. It is the common choice of rural talents on both sides of the Straits, and it is a field that can learn from each other and make great achievements. He believed that the rural cultural and tourism economy on both sides of the Straits will be more prosperous as the haze of the epidemic finally clears.
Since its inception in 2018, the Forum has focused on grassroots governance across the Taiwan Straits and achieved fruitful results.
Translated by Zhou Mengjiao