Chinese mainland to promote peaceful development of cross-Strait relations

The Chinese mainland will strongly oppose "Taiwan independence" secession and interference by external forces, maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations in the new year, the mainland's Taiwan affairs authority said.

Song Tao, head of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks in a new year message published on Tuesday in Relations Across the Taiwan Strait magazine.

Song said the mainland firmly maintained its dominance in steering cross-Strait relations last year, steadily promoting the peaceful and integrated development of the two sides and advancing the process of national reunification.

Efforts were made to resume and expand cross-Strait exchanges, Song said.

"More Taiwan compatriots have recognized the importance of communication among family members and the value of harmony," he said.

The mainland also continued to deepen the integrated development of both sides, constantly improve policies that promote the well-being of Taiwan compatriots, and promote the equal treatment of Taiwan compatriots and enterprises on the mainland, he said.

"Taiwan compatriots and enterprises have confidence in the mainland market and have a positive view of the prospects for development and establishing roots on the mainland," Song said.

Adhering to the policies of peaceful reunification and "one country, two systems", the mainland maintained peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and resolutely opposed "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and external interference in the past year, he said.

Song said the reunification of the two sides is inevitable and a clear trend in the development of cross-Strait relations.

He called on Taiwan compatriots to stand on the right side of history and promote the return of cross-Strait relations to the correct track of peaceful development.