China's Taiwan office leader named

Liu Jieyi, in his debut as head of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, met a delegation from Taiwan on Monday in Shanghai.

The island's delegation was led by Eric Chu Li-lun, mayor of New Taipei City.

Beijing's guiding principle in its Taiwan affairs is to uphold the 1992 Consensus, which embodies the one-China policy and opposes "Taiwan independence", said Liu, who took office last week.

By upholding the thought that "people from both sides of the Straits are a family", the mainland will carry out the 31 measures－newly released policies to benefit Taiwan people who study, work and live on the mainland. The goal is to further promote cross-Straits cultural and economic development, including advancing intercity communication and improving the well-being of Taiwan compatriots, Liu said.

He said he hoped people across the Straits would join to promote peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and the peaceful reunification of China.

Chu said the 1992 Consensus is the foundation for cross-Straits relations and peaceful development.

He said cross-Straits communication and cooperation should be further expanded to promote intercity exchanges and improve people's well-being.

Chu also is former chairman of the Kuomintang party.

His trip started on Wednesday and he stopped in Jiangsu province and Shanghai. It is his fourth visit to the mainland.

"The meeting conveyed the thoughts of the top leaders, such as upholding the one-China policy and peaceful development," said Zhu Songling, a professor of Taiwan studies at Beijing Union University.

"It also showed that the mainland is willing to open dialogue with political parties and groups from Taiwan－which recognize the 1992 Consensus－to promote development and restraining 'Taiwan independence'."

Chu has backed-up the one-China principle before, Zhu added.

The visit started after the mainland wrapped up its annual political event－the first session of the 13th National People's Congress and the 13 National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, collectively known as the two sessions.

Liu was appointed head of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office on Wednesday, the same day Chu began his fourth trip to the Chinese mainland. Liu served as China's former permanent representative to the United Nations and has been called a "veteran diplomat".

Last week's visit took place with a backdrop of US President Donald Trump signing the Taiwan Travel Act, which encourages official visits at all levels. This further increased friction in cross-Straits relations and Sino-US relations.

President Xi Jinping vowed to defeat secessionist attempts in his speech on March 20 at the closing meeting of the 13th National People's Congress.

"Chinese people have the resolve, the confidence and the ability to defeat secessionist attempts in any form," he said.

"Any actions and tricks to split China are doomed to fail. And these separatists' actions will be met with the condemnation of the people and the punishment of history."

Premier Li Keqiang also warned on March 20 at a news conference that China will not tolerate the attempts of any external force to use Taiwan as a card to cause difficulties for cross-Straits relations.

(CHINA DAILY)