Xi: Opportunities should be shared by mainland, Taiwan

People from the Taiwan business community should firmly uphold the 1992 Consensus and oppose "Taiwan independence", said Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Xi made the remarks while meeting with Vincent Siew, honorary chairman of the Taiwan-based Cross-Strait Common Market Foundation, at Boao, Hainan province on the sidelines of the ongoing Boao Forum for Asia annual conference on Tuesday.

Xi welcomed Siew and other Taiwan businesspeople to visit Boao and make joint efforts to draw the blueprint for cooperation and development in the Asian region.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the reform and opening-up policy, and socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era, Xi said.

Noting the Taiwan question is a fundamental interest of the Chinese nation, Xi called on businesspeople from Taiwan to oppose "Taiwan independence" and push for the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.

People across the Straits are like family members, and the mainland side would like to share developmental opportunities with the people of Taiwan, Xi said.

Xi called for joint efforts from people across the Straits to deepen economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, thus benefiting people and enterprises from Taiwan.

He said he hoped compatriots across the Straits could shoulder their responsibilities, push the peaceful unification process and fulfill the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.