Wang Huning urges delegates to 'align with the correct side of history' after Taiwan's ruling party prohibited officials from attending the forum
The independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party this year intensified restrictions on the Straits Forum in Fujian province, implementing the first complete ban on local officials participating in the event. Senior officials had already been barred from attending.
Speaking at the event on Saturday, Wang Huning, Beijing’s top official for Taiwan affairs, stated: “This year’s Straits Forum was held on a grand scale, with numerous Taiwan compatriots overcoming barriers to take part enthusiastically.
“It also fully demonstrates that expanding cross-strait exchanges and interactions, and improving the well-being of compatriots, represents the will of the people and an inevitable trend.”
The Straits Forum has been operational since 2009 and serves as Beijing’s primary platform for cross-strait people-to-people engagement. This year’s edition will include a total of 58 events across Fujian, the mainland province situated directly opposite Taiwan.
Tensions between the mainland and Taiwan have remained elevated since William Lai Ching-te assumed office in May 2024.