BEIJING, July 11 -- A senior leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC) yesterday called for cross-Straits unity and an early peaceful reunification between the mainland and Taiwan.

    

Jia Qinlin(R), Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, hugs with Taiwan's opposition New Party Chairman Yok Mu-ming in Beijing, July 10, 2005. [Xinhua]

"People across the Straits should stay united to fight 'Taiwan independence' secessionist activities and push for peaceful and stable relations in the Straits," said Jia Qinglin, a Standing Committee member of the CPC Central Committee.

    "We should join our efforts to realize peaceful reunification at an early date and create a bright future for the Chinese nation."

    Jia, also chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks at a meeting with Taiwan's opposition New Party Chairman Yok Mu-ming yesterday afternoon.

    Since beginning their visit on Wednesday, the group has toured Guangzhou, Nanjing and Dalian as part of their visit dubbed, "journey of the Chinese nation."

    Yok was the third Taiwanese party leader to visit the mainland since April, following the back-to-back visits of Kuomintang Chairman Lien Chan and People First Party Chairman James Soong.

    Jia commended the New Party's long-standing fight against secessionist forces as well as its support for peaceful reunification between Taiwan and the mainland since it was founded in 1993.

    The party's mainland trip is of great significance as it demonstrates the aspirations of many Taiwan compatriots to safeguard the sovereign and territorial integrity of the motherland and fight secessionist moves, he added.

    Yok said his party will unswervingly oppose "Taiwan independence" and make further efforts to develop peaceful and stable relation across the Straits.

     Earlier, the delegation held talks with the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee on improving cross-Straits relations and strengthening bilateral exchanges.

    Chen Yunlin, director of the Taiwan Work Office, said the New Party's mainland visit is in keeping with the right direction for developing cross-Straits ties.

    The director condemned secessionist forces for their attempt to promote the secession of Taiwan from China and provoke a confrontation between the island and the mainland.

    He stressed that secessionist activities have undermined the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation as well as the immediate interests of 23 million Taiwanese compatriots.

    Yok expressed his hope that Beijing and Taipei can use their wisdom to find a solution mutually beneficial for both sides.

    The delegation will visit the Lugou Bridge (also known as the Marco Polo Bridge) and the Memorial Hall of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression today.

    Yok is scheduled to give a speech at the Renmin University of China tomorrow morning before meeting Hu Jintao, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

    On Saturday, Yok and his entourage visited the Lushun wartime museum, a site which commemorates the Chinese people's resistance against the invading Japanese, during their stay in Dalian.

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