General Secretary of the Communist Party of China's Central Committee Xi Jinping and Kuomintang Chairman Eric Chu shake hands at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. [Photo by SHENG JIAPENG / CNS]

Leaders emphasize importance of One China Principle at 'historic meeting'

Both sides of the Taiwan Straits should build a community of shared destiny and settle political differences through consultation as equals, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China's Central Committee, said on Monday.

Xi made the remarks during a meeting with visiting Kuomintang Chairman Eric Chu at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Chu, 53, is the first KMT chairman to set foot on the mainland at a time when the KMT is Taiwan's ruling party since 1949.

Both leaders stressed the importance of the 1992 Consensus, the agreement that there is only one China.

Xi said the consensus is the foundation for exchanges with Taiwan's authorities and political parties. The mainland is willing to take the lead in sharing development opportunities with its compatriots on the island, he added.

"Both the CPC and the KMT should fight against any comments that would undermine the current hard-won cross-Straits political basis," he said.

Chu also highlighted the importance of the 1992 Consensus, saying that it changed the status of cross-Straits relations from resistance and opposition to cooperation and communication.

"Since 2005, the KMT has put the 1992 Consensus into the party's goals. The two sides are a community of shared destiny. Peaceful cross-Straits development has made much progress, and I hope on the basis of the 1992 Consensus to promote cross-Straits cooperation," Chu said.

Ni Yongjie, deputy director of the Shanghai Institute of Taiwan Studies, said: "It's a historic meeting. ... Both sides stressed and reached an agreement that the 1992 Consensus is the political basis for cross-Straits relations at a time when the parties are both ruling parties."

He said the relationship between the CPC and the KMT plays a vital role in cross-Straits relations. The improved relations will be a catalyst to increase mutual political trust and promote peaceful cross-Straits development.

"Xi also vowed that greater efforts will be made to open up to Taiwan compatriots. This formal response relieves worries among compatriots that the era of Taiwan benefiting from the Chinese mainland is over," Ni said.

He said Xi's words will reassure investors and residents on Taiwan.

Xi said during the meeting that the CPC and the KMT should be brave when facing lingering political differences and difficulties, pool the wisdom of compatriots on both sides and actively search for a solution.

"The two sides can consult with each other on an equal basis under the One China Principle and reach a reasonable arrangement," Xi said.

Chu said he hopes the two political parties will deepen cooperation in more areas including safeguarding regional peace, environmental protection and the economy, and provide more opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises and young people.

The meeting took place during Chu's first visit to the mainland since he was elected KMT chairman in January.

"Xi has delivered a message to the outside world that the Chinese mainland's basic policies toward Taiwan will not change, and the two parties are looking for a better deal to improve the livelihoods of people across the Straits," said Zhang Guanhua, deputy head of the Institute of Taiwan Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Zhu Songling, a Taiwan affairs professor at Beijing Union University, said: "Chu's words during the meeting signaled his strong intention to carry forward the consensuses that have been reached and to push for peaceful cross-Straits development."

Chen Xiancai, a Taiwan studies scholar at Xiamen University, said Chu's visit will boost the morale of his party and his own image.

Xinhua contributed to this story.