My comments:
At the forefront means simply at the front, leading the way.
Fore means front, and so how can forefront mean different?
Fore as in the phrase "to the fore", meaning to the front. A golf term originally perhaps. When a player tees off (makes the opening shot), he steps forward to the playing area, leaving other players and spectators behind.
Hence the phrase "to the fore", metaphorically meaning that someone steps forward or they want to assert themselves.
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About the author:
Zhang Xin(張欣) has been with China Daily since 1988, when he graduated from Beijing Foreign Studies University. Write him at: zhangxin@chinadaily.com.cn, or raise a question for potential use in a future column.