Ma Ying-jeou meets Hubei Party chief

Wang Menghui, secretary of the Communist Party of China Hubei Provincial Committee, on Wednesday met with a group of students from Taiwan led by Ma Ying-jeou, former chairman of Kuomintang, in the provincial capital Wuhan.

Wang said that young people are the most active force in cross-Straits exchanges and welcomed young people from Taiwan to study, work and live in Hubei, and promote the exchanges and cooperation between Hubei and the island.

He said that Hubei has continuously deepened practical cooperation between the two sides. It has formulated a series of Taiwan friendly policies and measures, and actively created conditions and provided convenience for the development of Taiwan businessmen in Hubei.

A number of well-known Taiwan enterprises have planted roots and developed in Hubei, which has maintained momentum in economic and social development during recent years, he added.

The province will continue to uphold the ideal that people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits belong to one family, and respect, care for and bring benefits to Taiwan people in Hubei, he said, adding it will also promote economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two sides and improve the well-being of both peoples.

Ma thanked the province for its warm reception and care for Taiwan businessmen and students in Hubei.

He said that in recent years, Hubei has made great efforts to promote high-quality economic and social development, and the interaction with Taiwan has become increasingly intensive, which has contributed a lot to the promotion of cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation.

He noted that the first student exchange event during his trip to the mainland will be held at Wuhan University, which has the reputation of being one of the most beautiful university campuses.

Ma said he hopes young people on both sides of the Straits will have more contact and friendship, so that they can understand each other and enjoy a deeper friendship.