BEIJING, July 10 (Xinhuanet) -- Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body, Sunday met with the visiting New Party delegation from Taiwan.

   

Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body, Sunday met with the visiting New Party delegation from Taiwan. (Photo: Xinhua)

Jia, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee, spoke highly of the role the New Party has played in opposing "Taiwan independence", promoting development of cross-Strait relations and safeguarding interests of Taiwan compatriots.

    "The New Party visit, under the theme of commemorating the 60th anniversary of China's victory in the resistance war against Japanese aggression, is of great significance as it stated wishes and positions of Taiwan compatriots of safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, opposing "Taiwan independence" and promoting peace and stability in cross-Strait relations," said Jia.

    The New Party delegation, headed by Chairman Yok Mu-ming, is on an eight-day mainland trip to commemorate the 60th anniversary of China's victory in the resistance war against Japanese aggression. ¡¡

    Jia recalled the history of Taiwan, which fell under Japanese colonial rule after a war started by Japan in 1894 but recovered after China won the resistance war against Japanese aggression, and said "history told us the fate of Taiwan is closely related with that of whole China and the whole Chinese nation".

    "The most important message we get from this great victory 60 years ago is that we must vigorously carry forward the national ethos with patriotism at the core," said Jia.

    "We sincerely regard Taiwan compatriots as our brothers and sisters, no matter they are natives of Taiwan or from other provinces," said Jia.

    "Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits are Chinese and they cherish brotherly affection for each other," said Jia. "They should enhance exchanges and cooperation and join hands to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, promote development of cross-Strait relations and work for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation."

    New Party Chairman Yok Mu-ming said his trip aims to show to Chinese all over the world that "time may elapse, but history must not be forgotten".

    "The Chinese nation won the eight-year resistance war against Japanese aggression and recovered Taiwan at heavy cost, including many lives. We must not be unworthy of the fruits won with their lives," said Yok.

    He pledged the New Party firmly opposes "Taiwan independence" and will continue to work for peaceful and steady development of cross-Strait relations, the well-being of people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits and a better future of the Chinese nation.

    The delegation arrived in Beijing Sunday morning after visiting Guangzhou, Nanjing and Dalian. Enditem