China's top legislator Wu Bangguo met in Boao, Hainan, Friday with Vincent Siew, chairman of Taiwan-based Cross-Strait Common Market Foundation, and a delegation consisting of Taiwan entrepreneurs on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia annual conference.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), said the cross-strait economic development depends on a peaceful and harmonious environment.

With joint efforts of compatriots from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, positive factors conducive to the containment of Taiwan secessionist forces have been increasing since last year, said Wu.

He said the year 2007 is crucial for the political development in Taiwan and the relations across the Taiwan Strait. The peaceful development of the relations faces both great opportunities and severer challenges.

"We have firm confidence and determination to combat Taiwan secessionist forces and their activities," said Wu, adding that the Chinese government will never allow anyone to make Taiwan secede from China in any form.

"We sincerely hope the Taiwan compatriots would join us to firmly oppose and contain the secessionist attempts, and safeguard the peace across the Taiwan Strait," the top legislator said.

Siew said economic and cultural exchanges across the Taiwan Strait have developed rapidly in recent years and such exchanges have great potentials.

He said he would continue to contribute to enhancing mutual trust and understanding between people on both sides of the strait and promote trade and economic relations across the strait.

Source: Xinhua