Mainland to make proper preparations for KMT chairwoman's visit: spokesperson

A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday said the mainland will make proper preparations for the upcoming visit of the chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, Cheng Li-wun, in April.

Zhang Han, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks at a press conference.

This will mark the first time in a decade that a KMT chair leads a delegation to the mainland, Zhang said, adding that the visit will be an important part of the exchanges and dialogue between the KMT and the Communist Party of China under the new circumstances.

Strengthening exchanges and dialogue between the two parties will have a significant and positive impact on maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, the spokesperson said.

She stressed that the mainland, on the common political foundation of upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence," is willing to work together with all political parties, groups and individuals from various sectors in Taiwan, including the KMT, to strengthen exchanges and cooperation and jointly promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

Zhang said the Taiwan question is part of China's internal affairs.

As long as the 1992 Consensus is upheld and "Taiwan independence" is opposed, the Strait can remain peaceful and stable, Zhang said.

Otherwise, she said, the Strait would become tense and turbulent.