New Taiwan affairs chief vows to boost cross-Strait ties

The Chinese mainland's newly appointed Taiwan affairs chief said on Friday that the mainland aims to promote the comprehensive development of cross-Strait ties in a steady manner this year.

Zhang Zhijun made the remarks while addressing the 11th Cross-Strait Relations Symposium held in the city of Pingtan in southeast China's Fujian Province.

The symposium marked his first public appearance at a major cross-Strait function after becoming the new head of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, as well as head of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

POLICIES UNCHANGED

Zhang said the mainland won't change its current polices toward Taiwan, as they have been proven correct in practice over the past five years.

"There is no reason for us not to stick to the right policies," he said, adding that the mainland will adhere to methods that have been proven effective and continue to improve them.

The senior official described the past five years as a period that marked the rapid development of mainland-Taiwan ties.

He said 2012 saw cross-Strait relations withstand key tests and achieve great progress.

"We are pleased about the peaceful development of mainland-Taiwan ties and have full confidence in the future," he said.

COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT

Zhang said this year, the mainland aims to push for the comprehensive advancement of cross-Strait relations in a steady manner.

This means that new progress should be made in cross-Strait relations, mechanism-building concerning various aspects of cross-Strait relations should be strengthened and that the quality and efficiency of mainland-Taiwan exchanges and cooperation should be improved, Zhang said.