Taiwan political figures offer congratulations

Political parties and figures from Taiwan have extended messages of congratulations to the opening of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, expressing hope for jointly promoting the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.

In a message to the CPC Central Committee on Sunday, the central committee of the Kuomintang said exchanges and cooperation across the Straits have yielded fruitful outcomes on the basis of the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence".

It expressed hope that the two parties can keep up exchanges, conduct sincere cooperation, deepen mutual trust, set aside differences and jointly enhance the benefits and well-being of people across the Straits.

The two sides should strive to maintain the peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits and usher in an era of prosperity and growth in cross-Straits relations, it said.

In a reply on Sunday, the CPC Central Committee noted the complex and challenging situation in the Taiwan Straits, saying that it looks forward to both parties grasping the overall situation and stepping up communication, enhancing mutual trust and deepening cooperation on the basis of common political ground.

The two parties should work together for peace in the Taiwan Straits, the well-being of compatriots, national reunification and rejuvenation, the reply said.

Lien Chan and Hung Hsiu-chu, former leaders of the Kuomintang; Wu Cheng-tien, chairman of Taiwan's New Party; and Lin Pin-kuan, chairman of the Non-Partisan Solidarity Union, also extended messages of congratulations on Sunday,

They expressed hope that compatriots across the Straits can pool their wisdom and join hands to promote the peaceful development of cross-Straits ties and jointly push forward national rejuvenation.