The Chinese nation must achieve unity on a grand scale to realize a peaceful rise in the 21st century, a major member of the visiting New Party delegation said in Beijing on July 12.

"We experienced all sorts of feelings and sentiments over the ups and downs of the Chinese nation in modern times in our visits, " New Party secretary-general Lee Seng-fong said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

The 30-member delegation from Taiwan has visited the Huanghuagang 72 Martyrs' Mauseleum in Guangzhou, the Mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and the Memorial Hall of the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre in Nanjing, the former Japan-Russian Prison in Dalian, the Lugou Bridge and the Memorial Hall of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-1945) in Beijing in its July 6-13 mainland trip.

The theme of the trip is to commemorate the 60th anniversary of China's victory in the war of resistance against Japanese aggression.

"Members of the delegation have reached a consensus that drawing from history in the recent 100 years, the Chinese nation must be united on a grand level to accomplish a peaceful rise in the 21st century," said Lee.

At the news conference, Lee also revealed some suggestions made by the New Party on exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait, including granting preferential treatment to Taiwan farmers in conducting agricultural production on the mainland, establishing uniform terms in scientific and cultural exchanges and providing more opportunities for Taiwan students to study in mainland colleges and universities.

Source: Xinhua