The forum on economic and trade affairs across the Taiwan Straits opens in Beijing April 14, 2006. (Xinhua photo)

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

    BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhua) -- A forum on economic and trade affairs across the Taiwan Straits opened here Friday morning, and the establishment of direct shipping service will be one of the major topics. Enditem