国内英语新闻:Senior leader calls for unity for peaceful cross-Strait relations

NINGBO, Zhejiang, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- A senior official has called for unity among people living on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

Jia Qinglin, member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau, made the call during his meeting with James Soong, chairman of the Taiwan-based People First Party and Yok Mu-ming, chairman of the New Party Saturday in Ningbo of east Zhejiang Province.

    Jia praised Soong and his party for firmly opposing "Taiwan independence", safeguarding the interests of people from both sides of the strait and those of the Chinese nation, and promoting cross-Strait cooperation.

Jia Qinglin (R), member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), meets with People First Party Chairman James Soong in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, on Nov. 7, 2009

    Jia, also chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said that the cross-Strait relations have recorded much progress in the past year, and the mainland will continue to promote the all-round development of the ties and work for the well-being of people on both sides.

    The Chinese nation is facing the bright prospect of its great rejuvenation, and people on both sides should seize and make full use of such a historical opportunity, work together with one heart and grasp the future of cross-Strait relations in their own hands, he said.

    Obstacles and disruptions will not stop the cross-Strait relations from moving forward in the peaceful direction, he said.

    Jia said to promote the development of cross-Strait ties, people on both sides should work on more practical issues, he said, citing the discussion of cross-Strait cooperation in agriculture and fishery.

Jia Qinglin (R), member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), shakes hands with People First Party Chairman James Soong during their meeting in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, on Nov. 7, 2009

He said work benefiting people on both sides should be done as much as possible and all forces supporting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and all friends opposing "Taiwan independence" and adhering to the one-China principle should be united.

    Soong said Taiwan is inalienable territory of China and Taiwan people form an inseparable part of the Chinese nation. People on both sides should have broader and deeper exchanges to increase mutual understanding and achieve more common ground.

    He pledged that the People First Party will continue to actively promote the cross-Strait relations.

    Yok Mu-ming said the mainland and Taiwan should increase technical exchanges and industrial cooperation on agriculture and fishery to create an "economic miracle" for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.