Top political advisor calls for closer cross-Strait ties

XIAMEN -?Chinese top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng on Saturday called on people across the Taiwan Strait to build closer relations and work together to create a better life.

Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks when meeting with some Taiwanese coming to attend the 7th Strait Forum in the coastal city of Xiamen in Fujian Province, east China.

The visitors from Taiwan share the same kinship with local people living in Qingjiao village of Xiamen. They were all originated from the ancient Yan family clan in Shandong Province in east China.

The majority of Taiwanese ancestors came from the mainland, especially the nearest Fujian Province. They went to the island centuries ago and named new settlements after their hometowns.

No matter how far away the Chinese people traveled, their blood relationship and love for native place would never change, said Yu, referring to those who migrated from the mainland to Taiwan in history.

He urged compatriots on both sides to strengthen peaceful cross-Strait ties and increase people-to-people exchanges that benefit both sides, giving stimulus to a better life.

Yu also applauded ideas from the youth representatives from both the mainland and Taiwan, who have formed a cooperative society serving cross-Strait start-ups. He said exchanges and cooperation of this kind should be popularized and promoted, and he expected youngsters on both sides of the Strait to realize their dreams.

Yu will attend the opening ceremony of the 7th Strait Forum on Sunday, which is the largest annual event for cross-Strait exchange at grassroots level.