New Taiwan affairs chief vows to boost cross-Strait ties(2)

The new chief expressed hope that both sides of the Taiwan Strait can maintain positive interaction based on the consolidation of the common political foundation of opposing "Taiwan independence" and sticking to the "1992 Consensus."

He said he hopes that the mainland and Taiwan can seek common ground while resolving differences and deepen the common understanding that both sides belong to one China.

Zhang also urged both sides to accelerate follow-up negotiations regarding the 2010 Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement and further promote two-way trade and investment.

He said the mainland will work to introduce favorable arrangements for Taiwan compatriots, help Taiwanese benefit from cross-Strait cooperation and make it easier for young Taiwanese to explore careers on the mainland.

POLITICAL ISSUES

Zhang said political issues should be faced squarely and should never be artificially categorized as a "restricted area."

People from both sides should think about political issues in an active manner and aim to find solutions for them, he said.

Both sides should gradually accumulate common understanding of political issues by tackling easier ones first and approaching more difficult issues later, he added.

Zhang said the mainland would like cross-Strait academic institutions and experts to conduct dialogues regarding political issues to create conditions for politically centered negotiations between the mainland and Taiwan in the future.

Organized by the Beijing-based Research Center on Cross-Strait Relations, the symposium featured discussions on theories regarding the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and ways of promoting cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation.

Around 120 experts and professionals on cross-Strait relations from China's mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, as well as foreign countries attended the event.