Sixth cross-Strait economic forum concludes
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The sixth Cross-Strait Economic, Trade and Culture Forum closed Sunday afternoon in the southern city of Guangzhou, with the adoption of 22 joint proposals for the promotion of cross-Strait cooperation in various fields.
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The forum was held against the backdrop of the signing of the historic Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) between the two sides late June, and highlighted the enhancement of competitiveness of both sides through mutually beneficial cooperation, said Wang Yi, director of Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee at the forum's closing ceremony.
The proposals also target cross-Strait cooperation for the enhancement of international competitiveness, and stressed cooperation in the emerging strategic industries, Wang said.
Participants from both sides of the Taiwan Strait also agreed to strengthen cooperation in culture and sports, and put forward suggestions for disaster prevention and relief cooperation, in addition to the proposals for the promotion of cooperation in new energy and energy conservation, among others, Wang said.
In the joint proposal reached on the forum, both sides called for deepened cooperation in textile, electronics, precision machinery, petrochemical industries and further cooperation in the emerging industries of information, biotechnology, new energy, energy saving and environmental protection and electric vehicle.
It is also proposed that both sides across the Strait acknowledge diplomas issued by the other side.
Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said the joint proposals would boost economic and technical development on both sides of the Strait.
"The forum has shown the confidence and determination of both the CPC and Kuomintang (KMT) Party and of all walks of life across the Strait, to advance the economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation and peaceful development of cross-Strait relations," Jia said.
He said innovation was the key to foster and develop emerging industries and called for innovation in science and technology, management and policies.
KMT honorary chairman Wu Poh-hsiung, leader of the Taiwan delegation, also hailed the success of the forum.
He said cooperation in emerging industries with different features across the Strait would produce a "one plus one is greater than two" outcome, and would improve the competitive power of both sides and help them jointly exploit the global market.
Zhang Guobao, a guest speaker at the forum, said as both the mainland and Taiwan will focus on emerging industries in future economic development, there is a major opportunity for economic cooperation.
Cheng Fengyuan, president of the Guangzhou Association of Taiwan Investment Enterprises, said "the proposals on cooperation in emerging industries will be a stimulus for the competitive power of emerging industries on both sides of the Strait."
The forum, a regular event between the CPC and Taiwan's KMT, was first held in 2006.
This year's forum was attended by more than 400 people from both sides of the Strait.
