Chongqing- On September 26, the fourth Forum on Integrated Development Across the Taiwan Strait (Chongqing) was held. As a part of the 13th Chongqing-Taiwan Week, it was undertaken by the Organizing Committee of the Fourth Forum on Integrated Development Across the Taiwan Strait (Chongqing), co-organized by the Taiwan Studies Center of Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences and Taiwan Research Center of Xiamen University.
Under the theme of Finding New Ways for Cross-Strait Integrated Development, Enjoying Opportunities in the New Development Paradigm, 31 scholars from Taiwan and the mainland delivered keynote speeches around Finding New Ways for Cross-Strait Integrated Development, Ways for Taiwan Businessmen and People to Be Involved in the New Development Paradigm, and Ways and Measures for Deepening Chongqing-Taiwan Integrated Development. Zhang Ling, Vice Chairman of CPPCC Chongqing Municipal Committee, Gao Konglian, former Vice Chairman of Straits Exchange Foundation and Chairman of Straits Economic & Cultural Interchange Association; and Zhou Ning, Vice Chairman of Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, addressed and a total of more than 70 researchers from relevant fields attended the forum.
Gao said in his speech that it was helpful for the two sides of the Taiwan Strait to work together but harmful for them to be pried apart. Trade and economic cooperation have benefited Taiwan and the mainland, and they should bring together the industrial chains for greater economic benefits. Chinese culture and traditional moral principles are the essential foundation to stabilize society and maintain harmony, worth for people across the Taiwan Strait to cherish. Starting with trade, economic, and cultural collaboration, integrated development can have win-win results.
In his speech, Zhou stated that those compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are a family whose blood is thicker than water and should work together and unite to move forward. Promoting the peaceful development and integration of cross-strait relations is the only way towards peaceful reunification. It is the right choice for compatriots on both sides to strive for national rejuvenation.
The scene of the fourth Forum on Integrated Development Across the Taiwan Strait (Chongqing). (Photo/ Chongqing Morning Post)
Attending experts agreed that although the global economy was hit hard by the COVID-19, the cross-Strait trade and economic exchanges and cooperation were not significantly influenced. Trade between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait maintains a rapid growth. The mainland remains Taiwan's paramount trading partner and the best investment destination and greatest opportunity provider for Taiwan businesses (and will continue doing so). The pattern of cross-Strait integrated development has no changes.
Yang Kaihuang, Director of Cross-Strait Research Center of Ming Chuan University, noted that facing significant changes unfolding in our world, something unseen in a century, the relations across the Taiwan Strait also changed, with integrated development as a pillar for peaceful reunification. Yet, integration before that is a political issue. Despite all of these, Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait will work together, following the outside-in strategy and focusing "from the near to the distant issues" and having an eye on the bright future to achieve remarkable results in this field.
Yang Kaihuang, Director of Cross-Strait Research Center of Ming Chuan University, delivered the speech by video. (photo/ Chongqing Morning Post)
Prof. Yin Cunyi, Executive Associate Dean at the Institute of Taiwan Studies (ITS), Tsinghua University, considered that the foundation and conditions for the establishment of cross-Strait common markets had been developed. During this process, relevant parties should practically improve the business environment for Taiwan-invested companies in the mainland and help them better run in the market and build closer partnerships with mainland companies. Meanwhile, innovative systems and mechanisms should be established to boost economic collaboration across the Taiwan Strait, shape joint industrial supply chains, and avoid cutthroat competition.
Prof. Tang Yonghong, Deputy Director of Taiwan Research Center of Xiamen University and doctoral supervisor, thought the ultimate goal of the in-depth cross-Strait integrated development was to form a community of shared future for both sides of the Taiwan Strait and enhance the common interests, national identity and willingness of people for reunification, in a bid to create economic and ideological conditions for national reunification.
During the forum, scholars visited Chongqing Jianchuan Museum, Chongqing Historic Sites Museum of the War of Resistance against Japan, and Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum, to have a deeper understanding of the War of Resistance and recognition of Chinese culture and the Chinese nation.