Cross-strait peace forum in Shanghai kicks off

The first cross-Strait peace forum, an important platform for non-official political dialogue between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, opened here on Friday to rally political wisdom and expand consensus, Xinhua News Agency reported. While current cross-Strait forums mainly focus on economic, cultural and social issues, the peace forum’s agenda includes complicated and sensitive cross-Strait issues involving political relations, external affairs, military security and peace framework. Organized by the mainland-based National Society of Taiwan Studies and Taiwan’s 21st Century Foundation and co-organized by 12 other major think tanks from both sides, the two-day event is attended by about 120 experts and scholars, with about 60 from each side.