NANNING - The ninth Cross-Straits Economic, Trade and Culture Forum, a key platform for comprehensive communication between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, kicked off Saturday in Nanning, the capital of South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

Yu Zhengsheng, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and Kuomintang (KMT) honorary chairman Wu Poh-hsiung attended the opening ceremony.

About 400 officials, scholars and representatives of various industries from both sides attended the forum.

The forum was established by the KMT and CPC leaders in 2006 and has opened its door wider to not only members from the two parties but also other political groups in the island.

Discussion and proposals initiated at the forum often provide important reference for policy making of the two sides.