Chinese mainland is confident of a peaceful development of cross-Straits relations with Taiwan, and will further bolster cross-Straits cooperation and communications, according to a top official in charge of Taiwan affairs.

Zhang Zhijun, chief of the Taiwan Affairs Office at the State Council, made the remarks on Sunday at the opening ceremony of the 6th Straits Forum, which is being held in Xiamen, Fujian province, from June 14 to 20.

The Straits Forum was started under the premise of a peaceful development of cross-Straits ties and has been an important platform for grass-roots communications. It has now become the largest nongovernmental cross-Straits event that instills new vitality into?cross-Straits relations, he said.

Authorities will roll out more favorable policies and measures for people from across the Straits based on their suggestions. And the mainland is willing to provide opportunities for Taiwan enterprises, he added.

Meanwhile, mainland authorities will push for a healthy and sustainable development of tours to Taiwan, as well as more cross-Straits grass-roots communications.

In 2013, more than 8 million people took part in cross-Straits travels. To further facilitate Taiwan people to travel, the mainland hopes to improve direct cross-Straits flights in order to shorten the travel time and distance, Zhang said.