Achieving the reunification of China is a major historic mission for the Communist Party of China (CPC), said Yu Zhengsheng, a senior CPC leader.

Yu, a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks on Monday at the opening ceremony of the 9th national congress of Taiwan compatriots.

The reunification of China is for the common good of all Chinese people and it is their shared dream, Yu said.

The 18th CPC National Congress held last month has shown the CPC's resolution to promote the peaceful development of ties between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan and to realize the nation's peaceful reunification.

It also demonstrated its strong will to safeguard the country's sovereignty, security and development interests as well as its sincere ambition to seek cross-Strait peace and mutual benefit for compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, Yu said.

On behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, Yu expressed congratulations to the congress, and extended greetings to Taiwan compatriots and the staff members of the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots (ACFTC).

Taiwan compatriots living on the mainland are important forces in advancing reform and opening up, modernization and the country's reunification, Yu said.

He also praised the role of the ACFTC, as a "trustworthy home for Taiwan compatriots," and as a bridge and liaison linking them with the CPC and the government.

As the peaceful development of cross-Strait ties is entering into a new phase of strengthening and deepening, Yu called on all levels of the ACFTC organizations to carefully study and implement the spirit of the 18th CPC National Congress and to adhere to the theme of the peaceful development of cross-Strait ties, the work of uniting Taiwan compatriots and the one-China principle.

Moreover, he urged the ACFTC to promote political mutual trust between both sides of the Strait and deepen communication among the public on the two sides.

The five-day Taiwan compatriots congress is attended by over 300 Taiwanese representatives from across the country. The congress will review the report of the 8th ACFTC council and an amendment to the ACFTC Constitution. It will also elect a new ACFTC council.

Senior officials, including State Councilor Dai Bingguo and Ling Jihua, head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, were also present at Monday's opening ceremony.

Established in December 1981, the ACFTC consists mainly of Taiwanese compatriots residing in the Chinese mainland. It also maintains contact with Taiwan compatriots on the island and those in Hong Kong, Macao and other overseas regions.