BEIJING, Sept. 12 -- Top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng on Friday said confidence, persistence and patience would remove misunderstandings between the mainland and Taiwan.

Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the third forum of social groups of Taiwan compatriots held in Beijing.

The peaceful development of cross-Strait ties is progress in enhancing the people's interests and mutual trust of the two sides, Yu said.

"We understand that Taiwan compatriots have their own mentality for complicated historical and realistic reasons," Yu said.

"Misunderstanding accumulated for years needs years to be removed, and we have the confidence, persistence and patience to do it," he added.

Yu also called on Taiwanese social groups to add more "positive energy" and accumulate more public support for cross-Strait development.

Yu said the mainland is willing to promote common development and closer ties with the mainland as the best choice for Taiwan to boost its economy and improve the people's lives.

"We are willing to offer more preferential conditions for enterprises from Taiwan to come to the mainland market and let Taiwan compatriots share the opportunities of the mainland's development," he said.

Yu called for more exchanges among young people.

Also at the ceremony, Lin Fong-cheng, honorary vice chairman of Kuomintang Party, called for adherence to the path of "cross-Strait peaceful development" with steadier and faster steps along the path.