Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Monday stressed the CPC's duty to carry forward the peaceful development of mainland-Taiwan relations.

"It is the duty of the new CPC leadership to continue promoting the peaceful development of cross-strait ties and the peaceful reunification of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait," Xi said while meeting with visiting Honorary Chairman of the Kuomintang Lien Chan at the Great Hall of the People.

According to Xi, the new CPC leaders have full confidence in unwaveringly promoting the peaceful development of mainland-Taiwan ties and overcoming difficulties in ushering in new prospects for the relations, as well as in joining hands with Taiwan compatriots to embrace the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The CPC is aiming for new achievements in cross-strait exchanges and cooperation in order to bring greater welfare to both the mainland and Taiwan, he stressed.

"We will maintain consistency in policies toward Taiwan by unswervingly upholding the one-China principle and continuing to promote cross-strait exchanges and cooperation," Xi said.

Unremitting efforts will be made to consolidate and strengthen a political, economic, cultural and social foundation for the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, he vowed.

Nothing can cut the blood bond between mainland and Taiwan compatriots and nothing can change the fact that both sides belong to one China, Xi said.

Moreover, nothing can hinder the Chinese resolve to make the Chinese nation outstanding, he added.

Xi expressed his hope that Taiwan can develop along with the mainland and that compatriots from both sides of the strait can cooperate in realizing the "Chinese dream".

Realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation -- the greatest dream in the country's modern history -- requires the joint efforts of people from both sides of the strait, he said.

"If brothers are of the same mind, their sharpness can cut through metal," Xi said.

Working together to promote the peaceful development of cross-strait ties and realizing the Chinese nation's great rejuvenation should be the theme of cross-strait relations, as well as the shared mission of people across the strait, Xi said.

Xi, however, warned of problems that have hindered development of cross-strait ties, saying these problems will require time, patience and joint efforts from both sides to resolve.

Prospects for cross-strait cooperation will be bright as long as the two sides can agree to oppose "Taiwan independence" and follow the "1992 Consensus," he said.

With new achievements made in the peaceful development of cross-strait ties, more Taiwanese will realize that Taiwan's future hinges on the peaceful development of cross-strait ties and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, he said.

Lien Chan said the mainland and Taiwan have turned common prospects for the peaceful development of cross-strait ties into reality step-by-step in recent years with the support of people from both sides.

"The path of peaceful development is a correct path that should not and will not be reversed," Lien said.

He expressed hope that cross-strait relations can be deepened from a new starting point.

Lien said legal and institutional systems on both sides of the strait have implemented the "one-China" principle.

Taiwan is a part of China and so is the mainland, thus making cross-strait relations part of the "one-China" framework instead of being state-to-state relations, he said.

Lien also urged efforts to safeguard the "1992 Consensus," seek common ground and shelve differences.

People from both sides should promote brotherhood and mutual understanding, as well as join hands to resist separation and reinvigorate the Chinese nation, he said.

Lien conveyed greetings from KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou to Xi, while Xi asked Lien to give his regards to Ma.

Yu Zhengsheng, a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, was also present at the meeting.

The delegation led by Lien also includes representatives from the island's economic, cultural, education and religious circles.