Mainland Taiwan affairs official meets KMT vice chairman

Song Tao, head of the Taiwan Labor Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Department of the State Council, met with Andrew Hsia, vice chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang Party (KMT) , in Shanghai on Thursday.

On the common political basis of upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing “Taiwan independence”, the mainland would like to work with the KMT in advancing relations between the two parties and both sides of the Taiwan Strait, Song said.

He called on the two sides to jointly promote cross-strait exchanges and cooperation, oppose separatist activities seeking “Taiwan independence” and external interference, safeguard peace, improve people’s well-being and promote reunification and revitalization of the nation.

Song also noted that the mainland will not tolerate the actions of Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party authorities who ignore the safety of mainland fishermen and hurt the feelings of people on both sides.

Hsia, on behalf of the KMT, extended condolences to the families of the victims of the recent fatal boat incident and called for swift action to uncover the truth and deal with the consequences.

The KMT is willing to maintain cross-Strait peace and stability, promote exchanges and dialogue, and work for the sound development of cross-Strait relations based on the common political basis of upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing to “Taiwan independence,” he said.