The 12th Straits Forum, the largest platform for people-to-people exchanges across the Taiwan Straits, kicks off in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province, on Sept 19. [Photo by Chen Bo/people.com.cn]

The 12th Straits Forum, the largest platform for people-to-people exchanges across the Taiwan Straits, got underway both online and offline in the coastal city of Xiamen, East China's Fujian province, on Sept 19.

This year's event focuses on enhancing people-to-people exchanges and promoting integrated development across the Straits, and has attracted wide attention from both sides of the Straits.

It will have 46 activities featuring cross-Straits economic ties, cultural exchange, and communication between young people on both sides.

The organizing committee said that various forms of knowledge contests and talent shows will be presented online, as well as online cloud recruitment, which will help increase employment and entrepreneurship for Taiwan compatriots. Activities such as selling products through livestreaming platforms will enable Taiwan enterprises resume work and production.

Additionally, an array of cultural events focusing on films and television, Matsu culture and vocational education will be held during the forum.

Authorities said two new fields of exchanges and cooperation will be added to the agenda this year－epidemic prevention and public health, aiming to showcase the joint efforts made by people on both sides of the Straits in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic.

The Straits Forum is an annual gathering initiated in 2009 to enhance people-to-people interaction across the Straits. Last year's forum was held in Xiamen in June.