Mainland urges DPP to change independence stance

BEIJING - The Chinese mainland Wednesday called on Taiwan's opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to cease its pursuit of "Taiwanese independence" and join the mainland in striving for peaceful development.

"We hope that the DPP can respond to the needs of Taiwan people who desire peace, stability and development," Yang Yi, a spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a regular press conference.

On Sunday, the DPP elected its new chairman Su Tseng-chang. He will take office Wednesday afternoon.

The biggest barrier between the DPP and mainland is the DPP's support for "Taiwanese independence," Yang said while commenting on recent remarks by Su in which the leader said he would like to visit the mainland as DPP chairman if no conditions are imposed.

"Our door is always open. The key lies with the DPP and when they choose to remove the barriers they have erected for themselves," the spokesman said.

The mainland would like to see the DPP change its stance and become a constructive force for the peaceful development of cross-Straits ties, Yang said.