A forum on economic and trade affairs across the Taiwan Straits opened in Beijing Friday morning, and the establishment of direct shipping service will be one of the major topics.

Jia Qinglin, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of a cross-Straits economic and trade forum.

Kuomintang (KMT) Honorary Chairman Lien Chan delivers a speech at the opening ceremony.

(Xinhua News Agency April 14, 2006)