Li Yuanchao, top party leader of Jiangsu Province in east China, met with the visiting New Party delegation from Taiwan Thursday in Nanjing, saying that the New Party visit is of exceptional significance.

"The New Party delegation led by Chairman Yok Mu-ming visited Nanjing when China marks the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Your visit is of exceptional significance," Li, who is secretary of the Jiangsu provincial committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said.

He also said the delegation's mainland visit truly deserves its name of "a journey of the Chinese nation" for its stated purposes of recalling the exploits of martyrs in the war, offering condolences to the victims, and reminding compatriots across the Taiwan Straits to firmly keep in mind history and their roots and jointly work for a better future.

"The historical and cultural links across the Strait cannot be severed," Yok said.

He said his delegation will visit the the Memorial Hall of the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre, an atrocity committed by Japanese invading troops, and offer condolences to the victims Friday.

"There's a need to learn the historical truth in shouldering the responsibilities and missions presented by history and the times," said Yok.

"Only through realizing cross-Strait peace and unity of Chinese people, can the Chinese nation reach new heights and put an end to bully from other countries," he said.

Yok said the New Party, together with the Kuomintang and People First Party, is working to improve cross-Strait relations. All descendants of Yandi and Huangdi and the dragon should make their contributions to the future of the Chinese nation.

Several other provincial leaders and officials from the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee also attended the meeting.

After the meeting, the Jiangsu provincial committee of the CPC entertained the 30-member delegation with a banquet.

The delegation arrived in Nanjing Thursday afternoon after a visit to Guangzhou. It will also visit Dalian and Beijing.

Source: Xinhua