The Chinese mainland expects more consensus to be reached with James Soong, chairman of the People First Party (PFP) in Taiwan, during his upcoming visit to the mainland, Wang Zaixi said.

He also said that Chinese mainland was ready for the upcoming visit of James Soong as all preparatory work had been finished.

Wang confirmed the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Hu Jintao will meet Soong during the PFP delegation's mainland tour, scheduled to include five legs, namely, Xi'an, Nanjing, Shanghai, Changsha and Beijing, from May 5 to 13.

"PFP is still different from the KMT," Wang said. "I believe Mr. Soong will demonstrate his own characteristics during the coming visit."

"Through concerted efforts, I believe we will reach more consensus on promoting cross-Straits relations," Wang said.

The official also said the mainland side would like to contact and communicate with all Taiwan political parties, organizations and individuals who uphold the "1992 Consensus," oppose the so-called "Taiwan independence" and support development of cross-Straits relations.

The absence of a formal party-to-party relations between the CPC and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Taiwan's ruling party headed by Chen Shui-bian, lies in DPP's party guideline calling for "Taiwan independence," commented Wang.

"We welcome the DPP to visit the mainland and conduct talks on problems of mutual concern as long as it admits the '1992 Consensus,' abandons the pro-independence platform and stops secessionist activities," said Wang, reiterating middle and lower-level DPP members are welcome to visit the mainland as assuming appropriate status.

(Xinhua News Agency May 4, 2005)