跨越海峡 同心同行——两岸最大民间交流活动启幕

Core Points - The 17th Cross-Strait Forum was held in Xiamen, focusing on enhancing civil exchanges and deepening integration between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait [1][2] - The forum has hosted nearly 800 events since its inception in 2009, attracting over 350,000 participants, including more than 140,000 from Taiwan [1] - This year's forum featured 56 activities across four main areas: main forum activities, grassroots exchanges, youth exchanges, and cultural and economic exchanges [1] Group 1 - The forum serves as a significant platform for civil exchanges, with participants sharing personal stories that highlight the emotional and cultural ties between the two sides [2][3] - Taiwanese youth expressed a strong desire for more exchanges, emphasizing the importance of personal experiences in fostering deeper connections [3] - The forum's activities are designed to be grassroots and community-oriented, focusing on practical cooperation and cultural ties [4] Group 2 - The event was attended by notable figures, including former Kuomintang Chairman Ma Ying-jeou, who emphasized the shared heritage and natural emotional connections between the people of both sides [2] - Despite political challenges, many Taiwanese participants overcame obstacles to attend, demonstrating a strong willingness for dialogue and cooperation [2][3] - The forum included various cultural performances that showcased the shared traditions and beliefs between the two sides, reinforcing the emotional bonds [3][4]