Xi Jinping (R), general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Taiwan's People First Party chairman James CY Soong in Beijing, capital of China, May 7, 2014. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)
Economic integration will bring mutual benefits and win-win results for the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, top leader Xi Jinping said yesterday.
Xi made the remarks at a meeting with James Soong, chairman of Taiwan's People First Party, in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
"Based on the concept that both sides of the Taiwan Strait are of one family, there is no difficulty that cannot be overcome as long as each side feels for the other and treats the other with sincerity," Xi said. "We'd like to know more about the practical needs of the Taiwan people, especially those at the grassroots, and take proactive and effective steps to take care of vulnerable groups," he said.
Xi said the policy of promoting peaceful development of cross-Strait relations would not change, and neither would pragmatic measures to boost exchanges, cooperation and mutual benefit.
"Our sincere enthusiasm to unite Taiwan compatriots for common endeavors will not wane, and the firm will to curb Taiwan independence is unshakable," Xi said. "We sincerely hope for a stable, economically developed Taiwan whose people live a peaceful and happy life."
Xi called on people from the two sides to enhance mutual trust as there was still much to do to boost cross-Strait relations.
"It will be easy to seek solutions to many difficult problems when there is mutual trust between compatriots," Xi said.
He called for extended contacts and communication between people from all walks of life on both sides to enhance mutual understanding.
Both sides should create conditions for more exchanges between young people to enable them to shoulder the responsibility of realizing the dual tasks of peaceful development of ties and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, he said.
Xi spoke highly of Soong and the PFP's role in promoting development of cross-Strait ties.
Xi said he hoped the PFP would uphold the one-China principle and continue to oppose separatist attempts for Taiwan independence.
Soong said the PFP had never wavered in its principle that the two sides belonged to one China and in its opposition to independence. He said his party would make efforts to enhance exchanges and mutual trust.
Yang Lixian, the National Taiwan Studies Society's deputy secretary-general, said: "This talk has the effect of clarifying the direction and strengthening confidence, as the protest against a cross-Strait service trade pact just ended and many people are confused about the future development of cross-Strait relations."
Hundreds of students in Taiwan stormed the legislative chamber on March 18 in protest of what they saw as "undemocratic" tactics used by the ruling Kuomintang to speed up ratification of the pact between the mainland and Taiwan.
A follow-up to the 2010 Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, the pact aims to open up 80 mainland service sectors to Taiwan and 64 Taiwan sectors to the mainland.
Yang Yizhou, vice president of the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, said: "Xi's speech showcases his full confidence in the policies that have pushed forward the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations for years and in the fact that such policies won't be disturbed by obstacles."