Xinhua Insight: Cross-Strait economic integration win-win: Xi

BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Economic integration will bring about mutual benefit and win-win results for the Chinese mainland and Taiwan and should not be disturbed, said top leader Xi Jinping.

Xi, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with Taiwan's People First Party (PFP) chairman James CY Soong on Wednesday morning at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

"Based on the concept that both sides of the Taiwan Strait are of one family, there is no difficulty that cannot be overcome as long as each side feels for the other and treats the other with sincerity," Xi said.

"We'd like to know more about the practical needs of the Taiwan people, especially those at the grassroots, and take proactive and effective steps to take care of vulnerable groups," he said.

Xi noted that the policy to promote peaceful development of cross-Strait relations will not change, and neither will the pragmatic measures to boost exchanges, cooperation and mutual benefit.

"Our sincere enthusiasm to unite Taiwan compatriots for common endeavors will not wane, and the firm will to curb 'Taiwan independence' is unshakable," Xi said.

"We sincerely hope for a stable, economically developed Taiwan whose people live a peaceful and happy life," Xi said.

Xi called on compatriots from the two sides to enhance mutual trust as there is still much to do to boost peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

"It will be easy to seek solutions to many difficult problems when there is mutual trust between compatriots (from both sides)," Xi said.

He called for extended contacts and communication between people from all walks of life on both sides to enhance understanding and bring them closer psychologically.

Both sides should create conditions for more exchanges between young people to help them see the peaceful development of cross-Strait ties and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, enabling them to shoulder the responsibility of realizing the dual tasks, he said.

During Wednesday's meeting, Xi spoke highly of Soong and the PFP's role in promoting development of cross-Strait ties.

Xi said he hoped the PFP can uphold the one-China principle and continue to oppose separatist attempts for "Taiwan independence."

Soong said the PFP has never wavered in its principle that the two sides belong to one China and its opposition to "Taiwan independence," adding that his party will make efforts to enhance exchanges and political mutual trust across the Strait.

Soong founded the PFP in March 2000 and has acted as chairman of the Party since then. He visited the mainland in 2005 and 2009.

"Timely and crucial, this talk has the effect of clarifying the direction and strengthening confidence, as the protest against a cross-Strait service trade pact just ended and many people are confused about the future development of cross-Strait relations," said Yang Lixian, deputy secretary-general of the National Taiwan Studies Society.

Hundreds of students in Taiwan stormed into the legislative chamber on March 18 in protest of what they saw as "undemocratic" tactics used by the ruling Kuomintang to speed up the ratification of the pact between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan.

A follow-up to the 2010 Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), the service trade agreement aims to open up 80 of the mainland's service sectors to Taiwan and 64 Taiwan sectors to the mainland. [ "Xi's speech showcases his full confidence in the policies that have pushed forward the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations for years and in the fact that such policies won't be disturbed by obstacles," said Yang Yizhou, vice president of the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots.

Yang Yizhou said the mainland should pay more attention to grassroots Taiwan people's demands and concerns and meanwhile expand cross-Strait exchanges in cultural and social aspects.