GREEN ENERGY KEY FOR DEVELOPMENT

Top political advisor Jia Qinglin stressed in his speech that emerging industries should be vigorously developed as they could provide low-cost and high-efficiency products.

Green energy was among the six emerging industries that last year Taiwan decided to fast track while the mainland is also planning to strategically develop emerging industries such as biotechnology, information technology and new energy automobiles.

Many participants agreed that the new energy auto industry is a "very promising" one for cross-Strait companies' future cooperation.

"As for the new energy automobile industry, companies from both sides are under great pressure from international competition and regional competition, and face growing demands to reduce vehicle emissions," said Dong Yang, executive vice president of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

Dong called for joint research between mainland and Taiwan automakers in generic technology, battery development and basic materials.

Economic expert Gao Hu revealed that companies from both sides were cooperating in the solar photovoltaic and wind energy industries.

He advised deepened cooperation between these companies through technology transfers and by developing common markets.

In a congratulatory letter to the opening of the forum, Lien Chan, also honorary chairman of the KMT, said the mainland and Taiwan should further discuss regional economic cooperation under an unrestricted mechanism in order to boost economic development.

A cultural and educational symposium will also be held at the weekend to review the implementation of joint proposals put forward by delegations from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan during the previous forum.

At the fifth forum, in central China's Changsha City July last year, both sides proposed to deepen information exchanges, enhance conservation of cultural relics, support intercollegiate communications and facilitate Taiwan companies in exploring the mainland market.