Mainland spokesman hails Xi Jinping's comments on cross-Strait relations

A Chinese mainland spokesman on Monday said recent comments by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, have showed the mainland's good faith in enhancing cross-Strait ties.

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said Xi's comments have also revealed the mainland's sincerity in efforts to advance the peaceful development of cross-Strait ties.

During a visit on Saturday to Pingtan, a pilot development zone in southeast China's Fujian Province, Xi said the two sides of the Strait "have no reason not to join hands in development."

At a meeting with Taiwanese entrepreneurs, Xi said, "The mainland has a large population, a broad market and a wide scope of industries, so it is big enough for Taiwanese products and enterprises."

He also expressed hope that entrepreneurs would continue to contribute to economic cooperation and peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

"We hope the two sides of the Strait will firmly adhere to the theme of peaceful development of cross-Strait ties, reinforce the basis for development, promote mutual trust, enhance cooperation and strengthen the mutual bond to achieve further development and mutual benefits," the spokesman said.

In response to a question on reports about Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou's latest remarks on cross-Strait ties, the spokesman stressed opposing "Taiwan independence" and insisting on the "1992 Consensus" as the basis for peaceful development of cross-Strait ties.

"We hope the two sides can take vigorous efforts on a common political basis to enhance communication, remove distractions and jointly promote cross-Strait development," the mainland spokesman said.

According to media reports, the island's leader on Monday told Vincent Siew, a senior Taiwan politician and the island's representative at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Beijing, that he hopes the mainland can understand that the foundation of the "1992 Consensus" will not change.

He also expressed his hope for further cooperation between the two sides in many fields, according to the reports.