Xi congratulates Ma's re-election as KMT leader

BEIJING - Xi Jinping, top leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC), sent a congratulatory message to Ma Ying-jeou, who was re-elected chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT) Saturday, sources from the CPC Central Committee said.

Xi, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, said in the telegraph that he hoped the two parties could deepen mutual trust and introduce positive interaction with boarder vision when cross-Strait relations are facing important opportunities.

The CPC and KMT should continue to push forward the comprehensive development of cross-Strait relations and work together for the interests of compatriots across the Taiwan Strait and revival of the Chinese nation, Xi said.

In his reply to Xi's message, Ma expressed his gratitude to Xi's congratulation, saying that cross-Strait relations have made considerable progress under the principle of the 1992 Consensus, agreed by the mainland and Taiwan, since the KMT became the ruling party five years ago.

The improving relations have greatly promoted peace and prosperity on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and benefited people's well-being, Ma said.

Ma said he expected the two parties to expand and deepen cooperation and exchanges, further promote the Chinese culture, realize the revival of Chinese nation and work for an eternal peace and prosperity across the Strait.

Ma had held the position of KMT chairman since 2009.

He was elected Taiwan's regional leader in 2008 and re-elected in 2012.