Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said in Beijing Thursday that the struggle against Taiwan separatists remains "arduous" and "complicated" despite new positive factors in the cross-Straits relations.

"There are new positive factors beneficial to curb "Taiwan independence" separatist activities since this year, but we have to notice that Taiwan separatists have not stopped even for a moment their separatist activities," he said.

He made the remarks at a reception marking the 56th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China which falls on Oct. 1. The reception was attended by Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong, Vice Premier Huang Ju and more than 4,200 people including representatives from all walks of life in Beijing, delegates from Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions as well as Taiwan and overseas compatriots.

Jia said china will stick to the basic principles of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems" to further cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation.

China has firmly implemented these principles since the return of Hong Kong and Macao to it, which help ensure long-term prosperity, stability in the two special administrative regions.

Jia said overseas Chinese and those who return to China are important forces for the reunification of the country.

The Chinese government will protect their legitimate rights and interests according to law, better safeguard their fundamental interests and let domestic and overseas Chinese get united and contribute more to the country's reform and opening up as well as modernization, Jia said.

Source: Xinhua