The fifth Cross-Straits Tea Industry Fair, an integral part of the tenth Straits Forum, is to be held in Zhangzhou in East China's Fujian province from June 8-10.

The fair shall be divided into nine exhibition sections, covering 5,000 square meters in total. To date, more than 200 businesses have been confirmed to take part.

In addition to the more traditional tea products such as tea sets, a wide variety of the latest tea related goods will be on display at the fair, including those using the latest cutting-edge technology.

According to Zhang Yiteng, deputy head of Zhangzhou municipal government, special demonstration zones are to be erected to promote local tea brands, which include oolong tea varieties Baiyaqilan and Tieguanyin and green tea Baxiancha.

On its sidelines, a range of interactive activities such as a tea-brewing contest will also be held.

The tenth Straits Forum is to be held in Fujian in mid-June, according to Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman of Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

Speaking at a press conference in Beijing in early April, Ma said the forum is set to be the first large-scale exchange activity between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan since the 19th CPC National Congress and the preparation is well under way.

Established in 2009, the forum has been serving as an important platform for promoting grassroots communications, exchanges in trade and cultural integration across the Taiwan Straits.

Fujian, as the host, is closely linked with Taiwan, not just by the narrowness of the ocean channel, but also by blood ties, common language and folk customs. Statistics show that roughly 80 percent of Taiwan residents are of Fujian origin.