Xi calls on CPC, KMT to contribute to cross-Strait ties

Xi Jinping, re-elected general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Wednesday, said the CPC and Kuomintang (KMT) Party should contribute to the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait and "the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation."

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), speaks when meeting the press at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 25, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

Xi's comment was in response to KMT Chairman Wu Den-yih congratulating him on his election for a second term.

In his congratulatory message, Wu said that with joint efforts from the two parties, cross-Strait relations have changed from tense opposition to peaceful development.

Wu said he hoped the KMT and the CPC can further adhere to the 1992 Consensus, deepen mutual trust and enhance cooperation in order to make new progress of peaceful development across the Strait.

In reply, Xi expressed hopes that the two parties would keep in mind the well-being of compatriots across the Strait and the interests of the Chinese nation. He said the two parties should consolidate the existing political foundations, increase mutual trust and strengthen cooperation, to make contributions to the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait and "the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation."

Xi said that since 2005, the two parties have brought about the peaceful development of relations across the Strait on a common political basis of both adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence," which has benefited people on both sides of the Strait.

People First Party Chairman James Soong and New Party Chairman Yok Mu-ming, among others in Taiwan, also sent congratulatory messages to Xi.