BEIJING, Jan. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan met here Monday with visiting Taiwan trade delegation headed by Mu Ming-Chu.

    Tang expressed his appreciation of the efforts the cross-Straits trade federation has made in promoting the cross-Straits relations and safeguarding the legal rights and interests of the people across the Straits.

    "We have adhered unswervingly to the basic principles of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems," promoting the eight-point proposal on peaceful reunification and boosting exchanges and cooperation to realize the objective of "the Three Exchanges" (exchange of mail service, trade, air and shipping services across the Straits)," said Tang.

    "We are willing to resume cross-Straits talks and negotiation on the basis of the one-China principle and strive to resolve the Taiwan issue peacefully with the greatest sincerity and utmost efforts," Tang said.

    But we strongly oppose any "Taiwan Independence" activities to separate Taiwan from China and will firmly safeguard the national sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said.

    Tang said he hopes Taiwan compatriots continue to make efforts to promote cross-Straits relations and oppose "Taiwan Independence."

    The Taiwan trade delegation will visit Shanghai later. Enditem