Political advisor: most DPP members different from a few "diehard" secessionists

Most members of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taiwan are different from a few diehard "Taiwan independence" secessionists and the mainland should welcome them to visit the mainland in appropriate capacities, a Chinese political advisor said Friday.

"In this way, we will make them have a better understanding of the mainland," said Zhu Peikang, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the top advisory body.

"We can also have contacts and dialogues with them through various appropriate ways to help them gradually abandon impractical 'Taiwan independence' fantasy and turn to boosting the relations across the Taiwan Straits," said Zhu at a meeting of the annual session of the CPPCC National Committee.

Zhu said that at present only a very few number of persons in Taiwan are truly devoted to promoting "Taiwan independence."

After the DPP suffered setbacks in two elections, more DPP members have realized that "Taiwan independence" leads to a blind alley and they are aware of the danger and hazard of "Taiwan independence" forces with vested interests, said Zhu.

Chen Yunlin, director of Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said last month that the CPC is willing to exchange views with members of all political parties and groups in Taiwan, including members of the DPP, on opening air links and promoting tourism across the Taiwan Straits.

On the matter of promoting cross-Straits tourism, Chen said "we have no objection to allowing officials of relevant departments in Taiwan to participate in talks in non-official capacities."

Addressing Friday's meeting, Zhu Peikang said the mainland should resolutely oppose and curb "Taiwan independence" secessionist activities and meanwhile, promote the healthy development of cross-Straits relations through beefing up exchanges in various fields.

Source: Xinhua