Chinese mainland welcomes KMT's new leader's remarks

The mainland is willing to promote high-level exchanges with the Kuomintang (KMT) based on the common political foundation of upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence," a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office said on Wednesday.

The remarks came after the newly elected KMT leader Cheng Li-wun expressed her willingness to visit and promote peace and cooperation.

Spokesperson Zhu Fenglian said the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan is for peace, development, exchanges and cooperation, and the mainland wants to work with all political parties, groups and people from all walks of life in Taiwan to promote cross-strait exchanges and cooperation and advance the peaceful development of cross-strait relations on the common political basis.  

The mainland also wants to work with the KMT to consolidate and enhance political mutual trust, maintain positive interactions and align with the wishes of people on both sides, Zhu added.

Cheng was elected chairperson of the KMT party on Saturday.

Speaking on the prospect of the cross-strait exchanges, Zhu noted that the fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee will review the CPC Central Committee's draft proposals for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for national economic and social development. Under the guidance of the blueprint, they will firmly promote the peaceful and integrated development of cross-strait relations and unswervingly advance the great cause of national reunification, Zhu said.

The mainland will provide more opportunities for Taiwan compatriots and Taiwanese enterprises, she said. To better serve them, it will continue to improve the systems and policies that promote cross-strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, deepen cross-strait integration and development, ensure equal treatment, and enhance the sense of gain, happiness and security of Taiwan compatriots.

The mainland will provide more support to businesses and enterprises from the region, create better conditions for young people from Taiwan to come to the mainland for development, and encourage and support more Taiwan compatriots to participate in the mainland's economic and social development, she added.

(Cover: File photo of Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office. /VCG)