(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-02 20:49

BEIJING - China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin said here Monday the Chinese mainland and Taiwan are now facing a "historic opportunity" for economic exchange and cooperation.

Enhancing cooperation and creating a win-win situation through joint efforts have become the will of the people both in the mainland and Taiwan, and the trend of the times, he said.

Jia, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) chairman and a Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee member, made the remarks when he met with representatives of the Association of Taiwan Investment Enterprises on the Mainland.

"We will make more efforts to promote economic exchange and cooperation and advance the realization of direct links for mail, trade and transport services between the two sides across the Taiwan Strait," he stressed.

He said favorable policies would continue to be implemented and enriched for Taiwan compatriots, and endeavors would be made to support the restructuring and upgrading of Taiwanese-funded enterprises in the mainland.

Jia also expressed gratitude over the donations and assistance offered by Taiwan compatriots after the May 12 earthquake in southwest Sichuan Province, saying their actions fully embodied the traditional Chinese virtue of "when one place is in trouble, assistance comes from all quarters" and of the "blood is thicker than water" relationship between the people across the Taiwan Strait.