KMT congress opens, highlighting cross-Strait peaceful development

Photo taken on Nov. 10, 2013 shows the scene of the 19th plenary congress of the Kuomintang (KMT) in Taichung, south China's Taiwan, Nov. 10, 2013. (Xinhua/Lu Peng)

The Kuomintang (KMT) Party convened its 19th congress in Taichung on Sunday.

A new policy guideline for the party was passed at the congress, which puts forth measures to develop mutually-beneficial relations between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland.

The implementation of an important agreement between Taiwan and the mainland, or the "common wish for peaceful development of cross-Strait ties" that was jointly issued by then leaders of the Communist Party of China and the KMT in 2005, was also stated in the new guideline.

At the meeting, Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou was sworn in as KMT chairman.

In his speech, Ma said the 19 agreements signed by the two sides had built a bridge for the institutionalization of cross-Strait exchanges, and the improvement of the cross-Strait relations had won the recognition of the international community.

He called on the island's legislators to give a green light for the cross-Strait agreement for service trade as soon as possible, stressing that the agreement will lift the competitiveness of Taiwan's service industry.

On Sunday afternoon, more than 1,000 delegates voted to pass the new guideline, which includes enhancing cross-Strait exchanges, pushing forward follow-up consultations related to the cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, advancing the work for the two sides' negotiation bodies to set up representative offices on each other's side, and deepening cross-Strait cooperation in cultural, judicial, environmental and financial fields.

The party's six incumbent vice-chairpersons will retain their positions, according to the meeting.

Delegates also passed an amendment to the KMT charter.

The amendment stated that the party's congress will be held annually, instead of biennially, and that a KMT member who takes office as Taiwan leader will also hold the post as the party's chairman until the end of his Taiwan leader term.