CRI听力:Xi Stresses Cross-Strait Peaceful Development

Speaking among a group of CPPCC delegates, Chinese President Xi Jinping says peaceful development of cross-Strait ties is the best path toward progress on both the mainland and Taiwan.

The suggestion has been made to a group representing Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League and the All China Confederation of Taiwan Compatriots.

"As the old saying goes, without a solid foundation, the earth and mountain will tremble. We must adhere to the 1992 Consensus, which Chinese mainland has been regarding as the basis and precondition for conducting exchanges with authorities on Taiwan and its political parties."

The 1992 Consensus is an agreement between both sides across the Strait that they should adhere to the "one-China" principle.

Xi Jinping says this principle is what's keeping lines of communication open.

"The core of it is to acknowledge that the mainland and Taiwan belong to one and the same China. As long as they can hold on to this, there will be no communication obstacles between any Taiwan parties or organizations and the Chinese mainland."

At the same time, Xi Jinping says he believes the key factor deciding where the cross-Strait ties goes is the development and progress of the mainland.

He's also warned the group to be vigilant against those who would want to push for "Taiwan independence," saying separatist ideals threaten China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Taiwan's political fabric has been going through a number of changes in recent months.

The chair of the ruling Kuomintang, Ma Ying-jeou, stepped down as party leader after the KMT took a big hit in the local government elections on Taiwan.

The party won just 6 of the 22 mayoral elections.

The annual session of the CPPCC National Committee, which opened Tuesday, is scheduled to run for 10 days.

The second half of "lianghui," or the "two-sessions," the National People's Congress, opens later on this Thursday.

For CRI, I'm Qi Zhi.