The Cross-Strait Forum on Humanities and Social Sciences 2016, a joint academic initiative of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), developed with Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Fudan University (FDU), Nanjing University (NJU), National Central University (NCU), National Taiwan University (NTU) and Peking University (PKU) was held in Taiwan from 14 to 15 October. The fourth Board Meeing of the Forum was convened during the event. Prof. Fanny Cheung, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of CUHK, led a delegation of CUHK to participate in the event and join the Board Meeting. CUHK delegates included Prof. Leung Yuen-sang, Faculty Dean of Arts; Prof. Chiu Chi-yue, Faculty Dean of Social Science; Prof. Tong Yuying, Department of Sociology; and Dr. Siu Kam-wah, Department of History.
The theme of the Forum this year was "The Chinese Society and Its Surrounding Areas: Regional Impacts of Contemporary Chinese in Cultural, Social and Economic Developments". Over 50 scholars from Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan attended the activities. Participants presented their research papers at the Forum, which cover a wide range of such panel topics as language and literature, religion and philosophy, cultural phenomena as well as economic progress to state the development of Chinese societies and its interrelationship with neighbouring regions from different perspectives. Prof. Leung Yuen-sang gave a keynote presentation at the Forum whilst Prof. Chiu Chi-yue served as the moderator for panel discussions on social and economic aspects. Delegates gave talks at specific sessions and shared their insights.
The fourth Board Meeting was held before the event with senior members from the seven instiutions, comprising Prof. Chen Jo-shui, Dean of College of Liberal Arts of NTU; Prof. Wang Bo, Assisant President of PKU; Mr. Wang Lei, Director of Taiwan,Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of CASS; Prof. Fan Cong-lai, Assistant Presient of NJU; Prof. Liu Cheng-gong, Vice Party Secretary of FDU and Prof. Lii Kwang-hwa, Vice President of NCU. During the meeting, members shared views on further direction and development of the Forum and devised plans to enhance collaborative efforts.
The cross-strait forum was first convened by CUHK, NJU and NCU in 2007. In order to fully utilize this platform and create greater impact for closer connection across the regions, CUHK took the initiative to expand the Forum by inviting more member universities and research organizations. Since 2014, board members have been increased to seven to include CASS, FDU, NTU and PKU. 
