The mainland will continue to work toward cross-Straits economic and cultural exchange and cooperation, notwithstanding recent potentially damaging actions by Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian, Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said yesterday.

"We should further expand cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation and try hard to implement the principle of pinning hope on the Taiwan people," Jia said during a panel discussion with the Taiwan delegation in Beijing attending the ongoing Fourth Plenary Session of the 10th National People's Congress (NPC).

He called for the continued vigorous implementation of all policies and measures that have already been announced.

Jia also expressed the hope that non-governmental organizations from the mainland and Taiwan would launch early negotiations on the issue of charted passenger and cargo flights across the Straits.

Jia also called for more exchange and dialogue with Taiwan parties and organizations that acknowledge the "1992 Consensus" and are opposed to "Taiwan independence."

(Xinhua News Agency March 9, 2006)