Xi calls on CPC, KMT to contribute to cross-Straits ties

BEIJING - Xi Jinping, re-elected general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Wednesday, said the CPC and Kuomintang (KMT) Party should contribute to the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Straits and "the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation."

Xi's comment was in response to KMT Chairman Wu Den-yih congratulating him on his election for a second term.

In his congratulatory message, Wu said that with joint efforts from the two parties, cross-Straits relations have changed from tense opposition to peaceful development.

Wu said he hoped the KMT and the CPC can further adhere to the 1992 Consensus, deepen mutual trust and enhance cooperation in order to make new progress of peaceful development across the Strait.

In reply, Xi expressed hopes that the two parties would keep in mind the well-being of compatriots across the Straits and the interests of the Chinese nation. He said the two parties should consolidate the existing political foundations, increase mutual trust and strengthen cooperation, to make contributions to the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Straits and "the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation."

Xi said that since 2005, the two parties have brought about the peaceful development of relations across the Straits on a common political basis of both adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence," which has benefited people on both sides of the Straits.

People First Party Chairman James Soong and New Party Chairman Yok Mu-ming, among others in Taiwan, also sent congratulatory messages to Xi.