'No forces can sever ties' with Taiwan compatriots

Taiwan compatriots remain highly enthusiastic about seeking opportunities on the Chinese mainland, showing the cross-Straits economic exchange and integration are unstoppable, said top political adviser Wang Yang.

"No forces can suppress the great trend of cross-Straits economic communication and integration or sever the cultural tie of the same origin between compatriots on both sides of the Straits," Wang, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said at the opening ceremony of the 11th Straits Forum in Xiamen, Fujian, on Sunday.

The forum follows President Xi Jinping delivering a speech in January marking the 40th anniversary of the National People's Congress Standing Committee issuing the Message to Compatriots in Taiwan. Xi said "China must be and will be reunified."