11th Straits Forum kicks off on Saturday

BEIJING-- The 11th Straits Forum will be held in Fujian province on the Chinese mainland starting Saturday, a spokesperson said at a press conference Wednesday.

A record number of more than 10,000 people from Taiwan have signed up for the forum, said An Fengshan, spokesperson with the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office.

Co-sponsored by over 80 units and social organizations across the straits, the one-week forum will consist of more than 60 activities and the opening ceremony will be held in Xiamen in Fujian province.

In response to the fact that the Taiwan side is obstructing the participation in the forum by persons and organizations from the island, An said the unreasonable move by the Democratic Progressive Party administration exposed their fear for the development of cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation and will not affect the successful hosting of the forum.