China Announces 18th Straits Forum to be Held in Xiamen on June 13

The Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) of China announced that the 18th Straits Forum will convene in Xiamen on June 13, featuring 58 distinct activities aimed at fostering cross-strait exchanges.

Key points

• The forum will invite representatives from various Taiwanese political parties, as well as figures from youth, women, agricultural, and business sectors.
• TAO spokesperson Zhu Fenglein stated that the event will continue to focus on grassroots and civilian-level integration.
• Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has historically labeled the forum a platform for United Front work and prohibits government officials from participating.

Why it matters

The Straits Forum serves as a significant annual platform for Beijing to engage with Taiwanese political and social groups, reflecting the ongoing tensions and differing approaches to cross-strait relations.