Chinese mainland to carefully study New Party's proposals, spokesman

The Chinese mainland will study carefully the suggestions put forward by the New Party in Taiwan during its visit to the mainland, a mainland spokesman on Taiwan affairs said in Beijing Wednesday.

"We'll exert our utmost to do what is beneficial to Taiwan compatriots and to the exchanges between people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, said spokesman with the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

Responding to New Party's proposal on visits to Chinese mainland by Taiwan compatriots, the spokesman said his office would work with relevant departments to reform the existing entry-exit procedures for people in Taiwan.

The service and coordination sector for Taiwan compatriots under the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office will keep regular contacts and exchanges with an agency to be set up by the New Party in a bid to provide better services for Taiwan businessmen, the spokesman said.

The mainland will actively protect the legitimate rights and benefits of all Chinese fishermen, including fisherman in Taiwan, he said.

The 30-member New Party delegation wrapped-up an eight-day visit to the mainland and left for Taiwan Wednesday afternoon.

The spokesman said Taiwan compatriots, whether they are native to Taiwan or from other provinces, are sisters and brothers of mainland people.

"There is no estrangement between us that cannot be resolved. We should get rid of misunderstanding and shelve past discord to seek peaceful co-existence," he said.

The spokesman called the New Party "a political force that cannot be ignored in Taiwan" and a party that shares the same political stand and goals as the CPC in opposing "Taiwan independence" and promoting peaceful reunification.

"We will continue to work together with the New Party and other political parties, groups and personnel in Taiwan that oppose 'Taiwan independence', accept the '1992 consensus' and favor development of cross-Strait relations and maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits," he said.

Source: Xinhua