Negotiation key to peaceful cross-Straits relations

China's top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng said Friday consultations and negotiations serve as a major channel for the mainland and Taiwan to realize the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.

Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks while meeting with representatives of a council meeting of the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS).

The meeting also marked the 20th anniversary of the historic "Wang-Koo meeting."

In April 1993, ARATS President Wang Daohan and the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Chairman Koo Chen-fu held the "Wang-Koo meeting" in Singapore. It was the first public meeting between leaders of the two organizations.

Yu said the spirit manifested in the epoch-making "Wang-Koo meeting" -- namely, replacing confrontation with dialogue and forging cooperation through negotiations -- still guides the development of cross-Strait relations and will continue to do so in the future.

He also expressed hope that both sides of the Taiwan Strait will press ahead with new developments achieved through negotiations and jointly promote the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, and that compatriots on the mainland and in Taiwan will make concerted efforts to realize the "Chinese dream," the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The ARATS elected Chen Deming as its president on Friday.

Prior to being elected ARATS president, Chen served as Minister of Commerce.