Senior Chinese advisor Liu Yandong on Friday stressed the importance of winning the support of Taiwan people in promoting China's reunification.

 

Liu, vice chairwoman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top advisory body, made the remarks while attending a gathering to mark the 25th anniversary of All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots.

 

The federation was founded in Beijing in December 1981 by the Taiwan compatriots settled down in the Chinese mainland.

 

Currently, more than 34,000 Taiwan compatriots have settled down in Chinese mainland.

 

Liu said Taiwan compatriots in the Chinese mainland have extensive contacts with people living in Taiwan and are an important force in promoting exchanges across the Taiwan Straits.

 

She encouraged the federation to carry on its active role in the reunification of China guided of by the theme of peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and in the fundamental task of winning the support of Taiwan people.

 

Liang Guoyang, chairman of the federation, said that they would continue to oppose and constrain "Taiwan independence" forces and make efforts to boost peaceful and harmonious cross-Strait ties.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 6, 2007)