SHANGHAI - The first cross-Straits peace forum, an important platform for non-official political dialogue between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, opened here on Friday to rally political wisdom and expand consensus.

While current cross-Straits forums mainly focus on economic, cultural and social issues, the peace forum's agenda includes complicated and sensitive cross-Straits issues involving political relations, external affairs, military security and peace framework.

Organized by the mainland-based National Society of Taiwan Studies and Taiwan's 21st Century Foundation and co-organized by 12 other major think tanks from both sides, the two-day event was attended by about 120 experts and scholars, with about 60 from each side.