Taiwan compatriots should get a good grasp of the overarching development trend of cross-strait relations, firmly stand on the right side of history and resolutely oppose separatist acts of "Taiwan independence," China's top political adviser Wang Yang said Wednesday.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made his remarks at the 14th Straits Forum, which began on July 12 in the coastal city of Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province.

Noting the people on both sides of the Strait are members of the same family whose blood runs thicker than water, Wang stressed that since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party has implemented its overall policy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era and adhered to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus to promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations.

Wang mentioned the Party has continued its efforts to improve the system and policies for safeguarding the welfare of Taiwan compatriots and to ensure that Taiwan compatriots on the mainland enjoy equal treatment with mainland residents, especially Taiwan youth, to study, work, start businesses and live on the mainland.

By having a strong motherland to rely on, the livelihood of Taiwan compatriots will improve and they will have more space for development, he said.

Wang also urged the youth on both sides of the Taiwan Straits to work together toward unity, and encouraged more Taiwan youths to come to the mainland to pursue their dreams and fulfill their dreams, demonstrating their brilliance in the course of realizing national rejuvenation.

This year's forum carries on the theme of promoting people-to-people exchanges and deepening integrated development across the Taiwan Straits. A total of 43 events are taking place both online and offline, with around 2,000 people from Taiwan expected to join offline activities.

Andrew Hsia, vice chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, said in his video speech that the Chinese KMT party will promote exchanges and dialogue across the Strait on the basis of the 1992 Consensus, and resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence."

Delivering a speech at the conference, Wu Cheng-tien, chairman of Taiwan's New Party, called for extensive exchanges across the Strait and achieving peaceful reunification through consultations and negotiations.

During his stay in Fujian, Wang also visited an exhibition in Xiamen, as well as a business startup base for young entrepreneurs and a company funded by Taiwan investors in the city of Zhangzhou.

He pointed out that deepening the integrated cross-strait development is a necessary path to achieving peaceful reunification of the country.

Wang called for efforts to fully implement relevant policies of the CPC and measures that benefit the Taiwan region and the people, to provide efficient and convenient services for young people from Taiwan to facilitate their work and business on the mainland, and to support Fujian in exploring a new path for integrated development across the Strait.

Prior to the opening of the forum, Wang met with the representatives of the attendees from Taiwan.

(With input from Xinhua)