HANGZHOU, July 9 (Xinhua) -- An influential think tank is organizing a high-profile symposium here on Wednesday, discussing prospects of the mainland-Taiwan relations and peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait.

    At the opening ceremony of the symposium hosted by the Cross-Strait Relations Research Center (CSRRC), Wang Yi, director of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, said the participants were expected to discuss how to enhance the cross-Strait relations and achieve common prosperity by peaceful means.

    "We've seen significant and positive changes in Taiwan since this year which indicates good opportunities to push forward the cross-Strait relations," Wang said.

    "I hope all participants would initiate new concepts or advice on the future policy," he said.

    The CSRRC, established in September 2000, groups retired key policy makers, renowned researchers on politics, economics, law, military, history, foreign relations and world strategy.

    The two-day symposium attracted 171 attendees, including 96 from Taiwan.