Cross-Straits forum focuses on increasing exchanges

The eighth Straits Forum opened in Xiamen, Fujian province, on Saturday and will run through Friday, according to an official from the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office.

The one-week event has the theme of "More Exchanges, More Cross-Straits Cooperation and Joint Development", said An Fengshan, spokesman with the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office.

The main venue is in Xiamen and 19 related activities in four parts - conferences, youth, grassroots and trading - are being held in cities and districts of Fujian province, the organizers said.