Yu Zhengsheng (1st, L), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, delivers a speech at an annual meeting of officials in charge of Taiwan affairs held in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 2, 2016. (Photo: Xinhua/Liu Weibing)
The Chinese mainland will work to maintain the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and contain "Taiwan independence", said the top political advisor Tuesday.
"We will unswervingly uphold the principles and policies decided by the central leadership on Taiwan affairs, adhere to the one-China principle, firmly oppose and contain 'Taiwan independence' separatist activities in any form, safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, push forward the peaceful development of cross-strait relations," said Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference at an annual meeting of central and local officials in charge of Taiwan affairs.
In the past year, the central leadership has accurately analyzed and grasped the cross-Strait situation, and actively boosted the development of relations between the two sides, he said.
The first meeting between cross-Strait leaders in 66 years that occurred in Singapore last year has made history, leaving far-reaching influence across the globe, Yu added.
The two sides have set up the institutional framework of communication and cooperation which brought benefit to people across the Strait, basing on adherence to the 1992 Consensus and opposition against "Taiwan independence," since 2008, Yu said.
"The peaceful development of cross-Strait ties is a correct path, and no one can resist the trend," he added.
The mainland will increase exchanges with Taiwan parties and groups that uphold the one-China principle in an effort to safeguard the common political foundation shared by the two sides, said a statement issued after the meeting.
Efforts will be made to promote economic integration across the Taiwan Strait, including industrial and financial cooperation, and try to benefit as many small businesses, farmers and fishermen as possible.
More measures will be adopted to facilitate exchanges in culture, education, tourism and religion across the strait, according to the statement.
The authorities also vowed harsh crackdown on corruption among officials working on Taiwan affairs.
Gong Qinggai, deputy head of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, has been placed under investigation for "serious disciplinary violations," the top anti-graft body said last month.
Zhang Zhijun, the Chinese mainland's Taiwan affairs chief, made a work report at the meeting.
