Development of cross-Strait relations "positive": Lien Chan

Relations between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan witnessed "positive" developments over the past year, Lien Chan, visiting Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) Honorary Chairman, said on Sunday, calling for joint efforts to maintain the momentum.

"Good and positive developments have taken place in cross-Strait relations since April last year," Lien confirmed at a press conference on a two-day cross-Strait economic and trade forum that closed on Saturday, recalling his "ice-breaking" visit to the mainland and first-ever meeting with Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

In a press communique issued after their meeting in late April last year, both parties decided to work jointly in five aspects, including promoting an earlier resumption of cross-Strait talks on the basis of the "1992 consensus," the formal end of the state of hostility across the Taiwan Strait, all-round economic cooperation and trade across the Strait, the discussion of Taiwan's participation in international activities after cross-Strait talks are resumed, and the establishment of a platform for regular exchanges between the two parties.