The 2022 Cross-Straits Rural Development Forum opens in Huzhou, East China's Zhejiang province on May 12. [Photo/WeChat account: huzhoufabu]

The 2022 Cross-Straits Rural Development Forum commenced in Huzhou, East China's Zhejiang province on May 12.

About 230 representatives from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan attended the forum and explored topics related to rural development.

The event is an important platform to promote cross-Straits relations, said Zhang Zhijun, president of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), who addressed the forum in a video call.

The mainland has in recent years rolled out a raft of policies to benefit Taiwan and its people to share development dividends with Taiwan compatriots, according to Zhang.

As the birthplace of the concept which states "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets", Huzhou is a trailblazer in green and low-carbon development. The city, which has a robust private sector and congenial business climate, is among the earliest cities on the mainland to establish economic and trade links with Taiwan, he said.

Zhang expressed hope that more Taiwan companies would contribute to Huzhou-Taiwan cooperation in fields including rural development.

Hung Hsiu-chu, former chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang party, noted that rural revitalization is the prerequisite for national rejuvenation.

The preferential policies targeting Taiwan, including 22 measures on agriculture and forestry introduced by the mainland, have provided a broad stage, especially in rural areas, for Taiwan businessmen and youth to start businesses and make innovations, and these policies have already yielded fruitful results, Hung said.

Taiwan has set up close economic and trade relations with Huzhou and Zhejiang, she added, expressing hope that Taiwan would further exchanges with Huzhou and team up with each other to pursue common prosperity.

Chen Hao, Party chief of Huzhou, said the city attaches great significance to village development, adding that attendees can contribute wisdom to the city’s development in that respect.

He extended his welcome to Taiwan companies and youth to invest in Huzhou and seek common development.

The forum, which is slated to run until May 13, will also see attendees go on trips to areas deemed as models in rural revitalization.