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Director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the CPC Central Committee, Chen Yunlin (R), greets KMT party honorary chairman Lien Chan in this April 28, 2008 photo. [China Daily]
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BEIJING -- A senior Chinese mainland official said Thursday the mainland will strengthen the exchange with various parties, groups and personages in Taiwan to jointly promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.
"The peaceful development of cross-Strait relations has become the common wish and mutual benefits of people both in the mainland and Taiwan," said Chen Yunlin, director of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.
There are major positive changes in the situation in Taiwan with the joint efforts of compatriots across the Strait, said Chen, also director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.
At present, development of cross-Strait relations exhibits a sound momentum and faces a precious important opportunity, the official said.
"We hope that people on both sides bear in mind the well-being of compatriots across the Strait and the interests of the Chinese nation as a whole, build mutual trust, lay aside disputes, seek consensus and shelve differences and jointly create a win-win situation to concretely work for the improvement and development of cross-Strait relations," Chen said.
Chen said both sides across the Strait were making positive efforts for the resumption of dialogue on the basis of the "1992 Consensus". "We are looking forward to making joint efforts to address issues of Taiwan compatriots' concern through dialogue on an equal footing.
"We understand, trust and care about Taiwan compatriots, and respect their love for their hometowns and their wish to be the masters of their hometowns," he said, adding that the mainland side will continue to implement and improve policies and measures to benefit Taiwan compatriots and safeguard their legitimate rights and interests.
"We will make more efforts to advance direct links for mail, trade and transport services between the mainland and Taiwan, and promote cross-Strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation," said he.
"We warmly welcome those who used to have the illusion of Taiwan independence, those who used to advocate Taiwan independence and even those who used to be engaged in such activities to return to the correct path of peaceful development of cross-Strait relations," Chen said.
He said after the recent catastrophic earthquake in Sichuan, many Taiwan compatriots expressed their concern and made donations to help the disaster-hit areas. "This will remain as a touching chapter in the history of cross-Strait relations."
"The fine future of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation belongs to all the Chinese people, including Taiwan compatriots," said Chen, expressing the belief that compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait have ample wisdom and ability to create a new situation of peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.
