Mainland, Taiwan should safeguard territory together

NANJING - Top political advisor Jia Qinglin on Tuesday said both sides of the Taiwan Strait should safeguard the nation's territorial integrity, interests and dignity together through their own means.

Jia, a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with Lien Chan, honorary chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT) Party, in the city of Nanjing.

Japan's recent action regarding the Diaoyu Islands, an inherent part of Chinese territory since ancient times, has seriously violated China's territory sovereignty and hurt the feelings of Chinese compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, Jia said.

The Japanese government on September 10 announced the "purchase" of part of the Diaoyu Islands, despite strong opposition by the Chinese side.

"Both sides of the strait should surpass their differences and work together to safeguard the nation's territorial integrity, interests and dignity through their own means," said Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Tuesday marks the 81st anniversary of the "September 18 Incident," which directly preceded Japan's invasion of northeast China.

Describing it as an unforgettable day for the Chinese nation, Jia said China suffered the most in previous times, when it was weak and hounded by foreign countries.

"Now, Chinese people on both sides of the strait are embracing historical opportunities to achieve common prosperity and development and struggle together for the nation's rejuvenation," he said.

He said the CPC, KMT and both sides of the Taiwan Strait should continue to promote the peaceful development of cross-strait ties and join hands for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on the basis of opposing "Taiwan independence" and sticking to the "1992 Consensus."

Lien said the peaceful development of cross-strait ties is the right path, adding that the two sides share a common goal -- to boost the welfare of compatriots on both sides of the strait.

"We oppose 'Taiwan independence' and recognize the '1992 Consensus.' That is an understanding that we stick to unswervingly," Lien said. "Sticking to the one-China principle is a sure thing and I have deep confidence in the prospects for cross-strait ties."

On issues concerning the Diaoyu Islands, Lien said Chinese living in Taiwan share the same feelings as their compatriots on the mainland. "Our stance on safeguarding the sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands is beyond doubt," he said.

On Tuesday, Jia also met with representatives from mainland and Taiwanese business and economic circles who have arrived in Nanjing for a cross-strait entrepreneur summit scheduled for Wednesday.