BEIJING, Nov. 16 -- A Chinese mainland spokesman on Wednesday spoke highly of the meeting between leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Kuomintang (KMT) Party of Taiwan.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, met with KMT leader Hung Hsiu-chu and her delegation in Beijing in early November.

"The meeting played a significant role in enhancing relations between the two parties and cross-Strait ties," said Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

During their meeting, Xi and Hung recognized their parties' contribution to the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and reiterated the common political foundation of adherence to the 1992 Consensus and opposition to "Taiwan independence," Ma said.

Both sides agreed to consolidate the foundation, boost political trust, safeguard the peaceful development and stability of cross-Strait ties, and improve communication to increase exchanges and cooperation in economy, culture and society, Ma said.

Ma said that cross-Strait exchange programs for 2017, which were announced at a forum on peaceful cross-Strait relations early this month, had opened registration for compatriots from Taiwan.

The forum, jointly hosted by 20 non-governmental organizations from across the Taiwan Strait, was attended by about 240 participants from both sides.

The mainland has made efforts to improve communication among young people, as well as to help young people in Taiwan to study, work and live on the mainland, Ma added.