As part of the 14th Straits Forum, the fifth cross-Straits grassroots governance forum opened in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province on July 13.

The forum was hosted by the Committee on Liaison with Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee and the CPPCC Fujian Provincial Committee.

More than 200 people from both sides of the Straits exchanged ideas at the forum on helping rural cultural tourism prosper.

Su Hui, vice-chairwoman of the CPPCC National Committee and chairwoman of the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, pointed out that rural vitalization is critical to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Taiwan compatriots must not be absent in vitalizing rural areas and realizing the  rejuvenation of the nation, she noted, adding that integrated development is an effective way to achieve mutual benefits and win-win results across the Taiwan Straits.

According to Su, Taiwan and the Chinese mainland are complementary in developing rural cultural tourism, as the former got a head start and has innovative concepts and more experiences, while the latter boasts a large market, booming demand, and promising prospects.

Rural cultural tourism, which combines agricultural culture and tourism and aims to empower rural culture and inject impetus into the rural economy, is a key project of the rural vitalization strategy, and an important carrier to inherit and carry forward traditional agricultural civilization and stimulate the vitality of rural culture, Su stressed.

She said she hopes that compatriots on both sides of the Straits can work together to develop the rural cultural tourism economy and jointly promote the spiritual bond between them.