A thinktank forum co-hosted by research institutes affiliated with the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party opened in Beijing on Tuesday.

The forum, themed "Prospects for Cross-Strait Exchange and Cooperation," was attended by more than 100 participants from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, including think tank members of the CPC and the KMT, as well as representatives and experts from various fields.

The forum focuses on prospects for cross-Strait exchanges -- tourism, industry, and environmental protection and sustainable development.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Song Tao, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, emphasized that both the CPC and KMT share an inescapable responsibility for advancing the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and safeguarding the common home of the Chinese nation. He urged the two parties to draw lessons and wisdom from the historical development of their relationship and of cross-strait ties, seizing opportunities before them to shape a promising future through collaborative efforts toward national rejuvenation.

Song called on members of both parties to uphold the 1992 Consensus, oppose Taiwan secession, guide the trajectory of cross-strait relations, and promote their peaceful advancement.

Since its inception in 2006, the Cross-Strait Economic, Trade and Culture Forum has become an important platform for CPC-KMT dialogues and for exchanges between people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

The inaugural forum held in April 2006 yielded seven consensus recommendations, including the promotion of direct cross-strait flights and the facilitation of mainland residents' travel to Taiwan. In addition, the mainland announced a series of 15 policies and measures benefiting Taiwan, such as the recognition of Taiwanese academic qualifications, fully demonstrating its sincerity and goodwill toward compatriots in Taiwan.

After 2008, channels for cross-strait communication were expanded and diversified. The consensus reached at the forum gained greater relevance for policy reference, including the full realization of the "Three Direct Links" -- direct mail, transport, and trade across the Taiwan Strait -- advancing the signing of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), and promoting the establishment of comprehensive offices on both sides. These developments have served as an important supplementary channel for cross-strait negotiations.

Since 2016, when the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities came to power, they have stubbornly clung to the separatist stance of Taiwan secession, refused to acknowledge the 1992 Consensus, and obstructed and undermined cross-strait exchanges and cooperation, leading to the suspension of communication and contact mechanisms across the strait.