Wu Poh-Hsiung, honorary chairman of the Kuomintang Party, also gave an address at the forum's opening ceremony. He expressed a hope for cross-strait relations to further develop and deepen.

Wu Poh-Hsiung, honorary chairman of the Kuomintang Party, said, "We just signed the ECFA last month, which marked a milestone of cross-strait cooperation, and will also act as a bridge connecting the two regions. Under the context of the accelerating economic integration in East Asia, this is particularly important for both sides. And this forum has made a remarkable contribution to historic achievement over the past five years. We have put forward and implemented many proposals which have improved the livelihood of cross-strait people on this platform. Now there is still much work to do. Cross-strait cooperation can be extended and deepened further in many fields. I hope all relevant parties will continue to make joint efforts to promote this partnership. I believe we have won popular support for the ever-deepening relations between us, and peace and development across the Straits."