Senior CPC leader Zeng Qinghong (R) meets with visiting James CY Soong, chairman of the People First Party (PFP) in Taiwan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 11, 2005. (Xinhua photo)

The formal talk between General Secretary Hu Jintao of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and visiting chairman James CY Soong of the People First Party (PFP) in Taiwan on Thursday will be a milestone in the history of the two parties' relations and a great event on the cross-Straits relations, Zeng Qinghong said Wednesday during his meeting with Soong.

Zeng is a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee.

Zeng spoke highly of PFP's consistent stand of sticking to the one-China principle, endorsing the "1992 consensus," opposing and checking "Taiwan independence" and promoting the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.

Soong's visit closely followed that by Kuomintang of China Lien Chan, who made a historic visit to the mainland during April 26 to May 5.

Zeng said both leaders and members of the two delegations had brought the aspiration of Taiwanese people who want to seek communication, peace, stability and development.

The extensive exchanges and dialogues between leaders of the CPC, KMT and PFP were aimed at bringing bright prospects for peace, stability, a win-win cooperation in cross-Straits relations, as the exchanges and dialogues were based on the one-China principle, "1992 consensus," opposing "Taiwan independence", Zeng said.

PFP is steadfast in opposing "Taiwan independence"

Soong said his party is steadfast in opposing "Taiwan independence". "The PFP has three basic positions. The first stance is its opposition to 'Taiwan independence'," Soong told Zeng.

"We oppose 'Taiwan independence' and never regard it as an option for Taiwan, and we are steadfast on this stance," Soong said in the meeting.

He said the second basic stance of the PFP is its adherence to the "1992 Consensus," which "we have never swayed on." In addition, he added, it is striving to make this stance as a basis for reconciliation across the Taiwan Straits.

The third stance, noted Soong, is the necessity of both sides of the Taiwan Straits for peace. "What the people of both sides aspire is to create a foundation for civilization of the Chinese nation and peace across the Taiwan Straits."

"Let's put up a bridge for mutual trust," said Soong.