Cross-Strait youth development forum opens in Hangzhou

The conference launched on Monday (July 8) in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, with over a thousand visitors and youth delegates from both sides of the Taiwan Strait in attendance. The goal of the gathering is to encourage deeper connections and integrated development.

Addressing the opening event of the seventh cross-Strait youth development forum, senior mainland Taiwan affairs official Song Tao pledged continuous efforts to create better conditions and more opportunities for the growth and success of youths from both sides of the Strait.

Song, who is head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, called on youths to firmly oppose "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and external interference and promote cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation in all fields.

Former chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang party Hung Hsiu-chu said at the opening ceremony that national reunification is a shared aspiration of all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation and also an unstoppable trend of history.

Hung expressed the hope that youths from across the Strait could enhance mutual trust and friendship through exchanges and contribute to cross-Strait peace, national reunification and rejuvenation.

The opening event featured keynote speeches and discussions involving guests and youth representatives, as well as cultural performances.

Through a series of workshops on various themes, such as intangible cultural heritage, e-commerce live broadcast, and sci-tech innovation, the forum, which runs through Friday, also helps participants get a better understanding of the cultural, economic, and social development of the nation.