BOAO, Hainan, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The reinforcement of the economic and trade exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Straits will benefit the people of both sides, Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong said here on Thursday.

Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong (R) meets with Vincent Siew, Chairman of the Taiwan-based Cross-Straits Common Market Foundation, in Boao of south China's Hainan Province on April 21. (Photo: Xinhua)

    Zeng made the remarks while meeting with Vincent C. Siew, Chairman of the Taiwan Cross-Straits Common Market Foundation at the Boao Forum for Asia.

    The cross-Straits relations were moving towards the trend of peace and stability since last year. However, the risks involved in the Taiwan leader's attempts to seek "independence" through constitutional reform are escalating, Zeng said.

    "We will never tolerate 'Taiwan independence'. We hope our Taiwanese compatriots will stand with us to oppose and curb the Taiwan independence and safeguard the Cross-Straits peace and stability," he said.

    The vice president urged the two sides to seek cross-Straits common prosperity by promoting the economic and trade cooperation.

    Beijing and Taipei can increase their economic cooperation and political exchanges to break the political deadlock and help boost the economy in Taiwan, Siew said. Enditem