A reporter from Taiwan's CTI television asks a question during a press conference in Beijing, March 16, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Preferential policies for Taiwan businesses that have already been introduced will remain unchanged, said Premier Li Keqiang in a news conference on Wednesday, adding anything could be discussed based on mutual recognition of the 1992 Consensus and the one-China policy.

When asked by a reporter from Taiwan's CTI television about the cross-Straits relations after the island elected a new leadership, Li said peaceful development of cross-Straits relations is in the interests of people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits. Economic and social ties between the two sides are also becoming increasingly close, and there needs to be sound interaction between the two, he said.

"Last year, I paid a field trip to Fujian province where I had a round table with some Taiwan business people. Many of them were quite sensitive about any economic measures from the mainland and some are considering whether the preferential policy for Taiwan businesses will be changed," said Li, adding that their point was well taken and the government had quickly issued a document specifying that all the introduced preferential policies for Taiwan businesses will remain unchanged to reassure them.

"Why did we do that? Because we are all members of a big family," said Li.

The premier said China will introduce more policies to boost business cooperation between the mainland and Taiwan on the premise that there will be continued peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, the cornerstone of which is the 1992 Consensus, and the mutual acknowledgment of both mainland and Taiwan belonging to one and the same China.

"I for one feel optimistic about the future of peaceful development of cross-Straits relations. There is a strong tie between the two sides that cannot be severed," he said. "I also believe that closer business cooperation could bring benefits to people of both sides."