第十届两岸经贸文化论坛在上海举行

This year's Cross-Strait Economic, Trade and Culture Forum has been held in Shanghai.

It's a regular meeting between officials from the mainland and Taiwan.

The discussions have focused mostly on cross-strait exchanges in science and technology, as well as culture, education and the development of the two-sides respecive small and medium sized business sectors.

It has also seen a meeting between the mainland's to top political advisor, Yu Zhengsheng, and the chair of Taiwan's ruling Kuomintang Party, Eric Chu.

Chu is currently on visit to the mainland.

The two both addressed the forum's opening ceremony.

CRI's Guo Yan has more.

Reporter: Top political adviser Yu Zhengsheng stressed the foundation of further cooperation between the mainland and Taiwan.

He says the two sides should assure the peaceful development of relations by adhering to the "1992 Consensus" and opposing "Taiwan independence".

"The key to the continuation of the peaceful development and correct direction of the cross straits relationship is the political foundation of persistence in adhering to the 1992 Consensus opposing Taiwan's independence. This is the foundation of the forum. Without this stable foundation, everything would be shaky."

The political advisor hopes the forum can contribute more to the move.

"As the circumstances of the cross straits relationship become more complicated, this forum must firmly express more powerful voices of consolidating its political foundations and further promoting the peaceful development of the cross straits relationship."

Yu added that the mainland and Taiwan should discuss ways for the island to participate in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

While talks may also encompass the Belt and Road Initiative and some regional economic cooperation opportunities, to develop the international market and improve the competitiveness of the whole Chinese economy.

He also asked the forum to continue its focus on welfare with exchanges of economic policy and industrial plans and urged joint efforts to help ordinary people, small and medium-sized enterprises as well as farmers and fishermen.

Leading a delegation to the forum, the chairman of the Kuomintang party Eric Chu said both sides should deal with the cross-straits relationship with a positive attitude.

"Taiwan is a multicultural society. There are lots of different opinions which we can understand but we must have a positive mentality, a healthy mentality, a positive attitude to handle the development of the cross-straits relationship. The 21st century is a time of cooperation, not a time of resistance."

Eric Chu said the KMT would be responsible for the public, the next generation and history and efforts should be made to deepen cross-Strait exchanges and make the benefits of achievements in cross-Strait development accessible for more.

He said the KMT will work to advance the cross-Strait relations on the basis of the 1992 Consensus.

Eric Chu is expected to meet Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, in Beijing on Monday.

For CRI, I'm Guo Yan.