Official calls for further development of cross-Straits relations

• Source: Xinhua
• [08:45 July 11 2009]
• Comments

Jia Qinglin (R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, meets with Chinese Kuomintang Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung in Changsha, capital of central-south China's Hunan Province, July 10, 2009. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin on Friday in Changsha called for further development of relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits, prior to a cross-Straits forum to be held here over the weekend.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks during his meeting with Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung and other participants from Taiwan to the Fifth Cross-Straits Economic, Trade and Culture Forum set for July 11 and 12.

During the meeting, Jia said relations between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan had seen continuous progress since last May, and that more people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits had been able to enjoy the fruit of the peaceful development of cross-Straits ties.

"As long as the cross-Straits relations go in the right direction, we have the potential to further our cooperation, achieve mutual development, and to make new progress in cross-Straits ties, " he said.

Jia said culture was also an important imperative for cross-Straits relations in addition to the economic one.

He called on both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan to step up exchanges in the fields of culture and education, in order to "enhance both sides' identification with the Chinese nation."

Wu Poh-hsiung agreed that the cross-Straits ties were moving in the right direction, and that forums held by the Communist Party of China and the KMT had become an important platform for the exchange of opinions from all circles on both sides.

"It's good to see that KMT members only account for less than a quarter of the Taiwan participants to this forum. The rest of them come from other political parties and different circles of the island," he said.