A number of elite gathered at a forum in Hong Kong Monday to discuss the current relationship across the Taiwan Straits and its prospect from economic and cultural perspectives.

Speaking at the first "Straits Forum" with the theme of "Cross- Straits Relationship in the New Century," Wu Den-Yih, former mayor of Gaoxiong City, said exchanging views across the Taiwan Straits is of great significance, and whatever beneficial to boosting communication and understanding between the peoples across the Straits should be encouraged by both sides.

He stressed the importance of realizing normalization of relationship and "Three Exchanges" (exchanges of mail service, trade, air and shipping services) across the Straits, citing the surging trade volume between the mainland and Taiwan, and the fact that the mainland has become Taiwan's biggest exporting market and source of trade surplus.

He said the cross-straits relationship is facing a crucial opportunity of turning for the better, expressing hopes that leaders of Taiwan authorities could grasp the hard-won opportunities.

Alexander Pan, chairman of the Asia Pacific Taiwan Federation of Industry & Commerce, the organizer of the forum, said the success of the "Straits Forum" shows that Hong Kong society is greatly concerned about the relationship across the Straits.

He hoped that Hong Kong, by giving full play to its advantages to serve as a platform for communications between the two sides, could play an important role in developing relationship across the Straits.

Source: Xinhua