More frequent cultural exchange programs and deepening cultural ties would be conducive to better cross-Strait relations, said experts attending a conference on Tuesday.

The Overseas Chinese World Conference for Promoting Peaceful Reunification of China opened here on Tuesday afternoon. The meeting, held for the first time in Hong Kong, gathers over 1,500 delegates from 60 countries and regions, with about 600 of them coming from Taiwan.

"Chinese culture is the key soft power that unites overseas Chinese and promotes the peaceful reunification of China," said Poon Chung-kwong, former president of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Wang Hsiao-Hsiang, former Chairman of Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival Executive Committee, cited the success of Ang Lee's award- winning Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to explain the importance of cross-Strait cooperation on film production.

"The film brought together top-notch capital, talents and technology from Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan and is thus a huge success," Wang said.

After the implementation of ECFA (Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement), people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait began desiring more cultural exchange and cooperation.

Fan Liqing, spokeswoman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council of China, suggested in earlier September a cultural exchange agreement be signed between the two sides at an appropriate time following negotiations.

During the recent visit to Taiwan, Cai Wu, the honorary chairman of the China Friendship Association of Cultural Circles, proposed an agreement on cultural exchange that was warmly received by cultural circles on both sides of the Strait.