18th Straits Forum Opens in Xiamen, Expanding Exchanges

The 18th Straits Forum, a flagship platform for people-to-people exchanges between Mainland China and Taiwan, is set to convene in Fujian Province in mid-June, with the main conference scheduled for June 13 in Xiamen. The announcement was made on June 3 by Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, during a regular press conference in Beijing, as reported by Xinhua News Agency.

A Platform for Grassroots Engagement

Now in its 18th edition, the Straits Forum remains committed to its founding principles of “civil, grassroots, and broad” participation, emphasizing people-to-people connections over official government-to-government dialogue. This year’s theme, “Expanding Civil Exchanges, Deepening Integrated Development,” continues the thread established in previous forums.

According to China News Service, the forum will feature four major sections — grassroots exchanges, youth exchanges, cultural exchanges, and economic exchanges — comprising 58 activities, up from 56 in the 17th Forum. This expansion signals the continued growth of the forum’s scope and ambition, reflecting Beijing’s sustained commitment to maintaining channels of communication with Taiwanese society.

Invitations have been extended to representatives from Taiwanese political parties, as well as participants from labor unions, youth groups, women’s organizations, folk belief groups, agriculture and fishery sectors, cultural tourism, health, and industry and commerce. The main venue will be in Xiamen, with related activities taking place across other cities in Fujian and the Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone.

Historical Context and Political Significance

Since its inception in 2009, the Straits Forum has attracted over 350,000 participants, serving as a consistent platform for cross-strait civil engagement even during periods of heightened political tension. The forum was established during an era of improved relations under former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou’s administration and has persisted through successive political shifts on the island, weathering the transition from KMT to DPP governance and back.

The 18th Forum arrives in a particularly significant political moment. In April 2026, KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun visited Beijing and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping — the first such high-level meeting in nearly a decade. As The Diplomat noted, the meeting was not only about cross-strait dynamics but also about Cheng securing her position within the KMT. Xi emphasized the one-China principle during the meeting, while Cheng stated that Taiwan should “no longer be a flashpoint for potential conflict.”

This engagement contrasts sharply with the stance of Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) under President Lai Ching-te, which has maintained opposition to the 1992 Consensus and imposed restrictions on cross-strait exchanges. The DPP has previously criticized opposition figures who participate in the forum, accusing them of “dancing in step with the Chinese Communists” and undermining Taiwan’s interests. The KMT, in response, has defended participation by citing the 1992 Consensus and arguing that engagement serves Taiwan’s interests.

Growing Scope and Forward Look

The increase in activities from 56 to 58 reflects the forum’s expanding reach across sectors. The 17th Forum in 2025 drew over 7,000 participants and featured the attendance of former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou, a moment that drew both praise from the KMT and sharp criticism from the DPP. Ma asserted that the promotion of peaceful cross-strait ties is “a common desire of individuals on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.”

All preparatory work for the 18th Forum is progressing smoothly, according to the Taiwan Affairs Office. The forum’s news center will release interview application notices for journalists covering the event. A sub-forum, the Straits People Forum, was already held from May 28 to 30 in Putian and on Meizhou Island, drawing over 300 participants from both sides of the strait.

As cross-strait relations remain complex — with the Fourth Taiwan Strait Crisis having seen multiple rounds of military exercises since 2022 — the Straits Forum continues to serve as a barometer of civil relations across the strait. Its persistence through 18 editions demonstrates the resilience of people-to-people ties despite political headwinds. Whether any high-profile Taiwanese political figures will attend this year, following Ma Ying-jeou’s landmark participation in 2025, remains a key question as the forum approaches.

The 18th Straits Forum stands as a testament to the enduring channels of communication between the two sides, offering a space where grassroots connections can flourish even as official relations remain fraught. In the short term, the forum is expected to produce agreements and memoranda of understanding in economic, cultural, and youth sectors. Long-term, it continues to serve as a key platform for the mainland to demonstrate its commitment to peaceful reunification and people-to-people ties, countering narratives of inevitable conflict.