New features of the 5th Cross-Strait Forum

Edited and translated by Zhang Qian, People's Daily Online

The 5th Cross-Strait Forum was held in Xiamen on June 16. Unlike the previous forums, the grassroots smell of the Cross-strait Forum made it a tender event. During the forum, we can see the most striking sentimental appeal, the love of both sides, as well as the grassroots temperament of civilians.

The most eye-catching topic

Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee gave a speech at the forum. Taiwan media reported the speech of Yu Zhengsheng at length. One of the most acclaimed sentences in the speech is an invitation, "Those who ever supported, followed and engaged in ‘Taiwan independence’ are welcome to the mainland as long as they have willingness to improve and develop cross-strait relations."

People in the blue camp showed their understanding, and appealed that the activists on the island who blindly support "Taiwan independence" to "go and see the mainland". Liao Zhengjing of the "Blue committee" said that it’s wrong to see the mainland from the past narrow perspective. After 30 years of reform and opening up, “the speech is already very free" on the mainland. He called for all Taiwanese who disagree with the mainland to go and see the mainland. Another "legislator" Mr. Lin also said that the more deeply Taiwan's politicians understand the mainland, the more clearly they will know that a simple formula isn’t enough to immediately solve the arguments on both sides. Those who support “Taiwan independence” or those who have no opinions should go to the mainland. They are not forced to support the mainland’s policy towards Taiwan, but they need to understand how the mainland develops right now.

The most welcome celebrity

Celebrities gathered together at the Cross-Strait Forum. Famous couples like Ling Feng and Wang Xiaofei participated in the marriage and family forum held by the two sides on June 15. Among them, Wang Xiaofei, the son-in-law of Taiwan attracted a lot of attention. Wang talked contentedly about his own dating experience in front of the media. He also revealed many love details with Barbie Hsu. Wang admitted that he did not understand Taiwan before he met Hsu, but after marriage he can feel traditional atmosphere and emphasis on family in Taiwan.

The forum coincided with the Father's Day. Wang who is said to be planning their baby with Barbie Hsu could not stop his willingness and expressed his hope for those married men of having a Father's Day next year including himself.

The most appropriate evaluation

Lin Xianyuan, a reporter from Taiwan described the Cross-Strait Forum of this year like this, "The scale is bigger, the form is more diverse, the content is richer and people are more attractive." He also gives a rather apt assessment: “It looks like a lively folk carnival for the compatriots on both sides".

Various activities made the folk carnival more magnificent. The grassroot way of communication created a joyful carnival atmosphere for the forum. "Hao xia 好呷 (delicious)!" said Zhang Zhijun, director of the Taiwan affairs office, after eating fish balls at Taiwan characteristic anoplura temple fairs.

Read the Chinese version: 今年海峡论坛有三“最”; Source: People's Daily Overseas Edition; Author: Liu Ling

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