Guests and organizers pose for a group photo in Beijing on Dec 23. [Photo provided to China Daily]

A forum to boost agriculture and village exchange across the Straits was held in Beijing on December 23.

The cross-Straits "Beautiful Village" forum was jointly held by the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits and the Beijing Union University, and attracted about 100 grassroots-level representatives and scholars from across the Straits.

A research institute for beautiful villages across the Straits was established at the forum.

Organizers expressed hope to develop the forum and the institute into a think tank for village development and in-depth exchange across the Straits.

Agriculture cooperation has borne fruits over the years. The Chinese mainland has established 28 entrepreneurial parks for Taiwan villagers to boost agriculture exchange and cooperation across the Straits.