Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), had a meeting with a Taiwan delegation to study economic and trade issues on the mainland.

Jia welcomed the visiting delegation led by Kuo Tai-qiang, chairman of Taiwan's council for industrial and commercial development and spoke highly of the council's long-term efforts to promote cross-strait economic and trade relations.

Chinese compatriots living on the two banks belong to the one family and thus they should join hands to safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, said the CPPCC leader. He recalled past year's efforts by the mainland to seek benefits for Taiwan people and push forward personnel, economic and cultural exchanges across the strait.

It is in favor of the fundamental interests of Chinese compatriots living on the two banks to develop cross-strait economic ties with great efforts and realize direct links of mail, trade and transport services across the strait as early as possible, Jia said.

Chen Yunlin, director of the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, was present at the meeting.

Source: Xinhua