Taiwan's opposition New Party delegation headed by Chairman Yok Mu-ming wrapped up its eight-day mainland visit yesterday afternoon. Before leaving for Taipei, Yok said his party's "journey of the Chinese nation" has proved successful in inspiring national spirit to strive for rejuvenation of the country.

His trip has also strengthened inter-party exchanges between the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Taiwan's opposition parties in a bid to ease cross-Straits tensions and push forward bilateral relations.

Yok is the third Taiwanese opposition party leader to visit the mainland since April, following in the footsteps of Kuomintang Chairman Lien Chan and People First Party Chairman James Soong.

Although his trip did not produce "concrete achievements" as the visits of Lien and Soong did, Yok and his party did play a unique role in improving cross-Straits relations. Just as Yok has said, the New Party, though small in size, has value.

The New Party leader has described his party as like the pole star, Polaris, which looks lonely but is of great value in guiding people in the right direction. That has been fully demonstrated by its pursuit of national interests rather than short-term party interests.

As a far-sighted and principled party responsible for both the people and history, the New Party has always stood firm in its political beliefs.

Since its establishment in 1993, the New Party has unswervingly stuck to the one-China principle, opposed "Taiwan independence," and stood for peaceful reunification across the Straits. The party has engaged in a ceaseless fight against secessionist forces and their activities despite mounting pressure from the "pro-independence" Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration. Such persistence is rare and commendable.

No wonder Hu Jintao, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, hailed the New Party as one of Taiwan's important political forces that must not be ignored. The top CPC leader expressed his appreciation of the party's efforts to support national reunification and improve cross-Straits ties when meeting Yok and his entourage.

Hu said the CPC and the New Party share the common goal of opposing "Taiwan independence" and promoting peaceful reunification of the country. The two parties vowed to team up to fight secessionist forces and safeguard cross-Straits peace and stability to benefit compatriots on both sides.

The New Party's mainland visit has highlighted the significance of cross-Straits unity in achieving national rejuvenation for the benefit of people in Taiwan and the mainland. Citing the lesson from the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-45), Yok stressed: "Only through cross-Straits unity can the Chinese nation avoid being bullied by others."

His remarks speak the truth. Only a reunited China can become a powerful country that can bring economic prosperity and social stability to people on both sides of the Straits.

Any secessionist attempt to promote "Taiwan independence" goes against the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation and thus should never be tolerated.

That is a clear message from the New Party as well as everyone that cherishes China's sovereignty, territorial integrity and national pride.

Source: China Daily