CPPCC to further promote exchanges with Taiwan compatriots

China's top political advisory body will further promote exchanges with people from all walks of life in Taiwan to jointly promote the "peaceful and integrated development" of cross-Straits relations, a spokesman said on Friday, as the mainland's COVID-19 epidemic control "has entered a new stage".

"Cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation in various fields have been carried out for more than 30 years, which has a solid foundation and internal impetus, and is also the trend of the time," Guo Weimin, the spokesperson of the first session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said in the session's news conference.

The CPPCC National Committee is committed to promoting exchanges and cooperation between compatriots of both sides of the Taiwan Straits, he said, noting that in the past five years, the advisory body has organized inspections and researches, and put forward work proposals to help implement the policies to deepen economic and cultural cooperation across the Straits.

The CPPCC also actively held a series of cultural exchange activities to promote "emotional integration and spiritual harmony" across the Straits, Guo said.

In the next phase, the CPPCC would adhere to the basic principles of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems", one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, and resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and external interference, he said.

"Peace, development, exchanges and cooperation are the common aspiration of people on both sides of the Straits," Guo said.

The CPPCC would continue to unite Taiwan compatriots, advance the great cause of national reunification, and create a better future for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, said the spokesman.