Related report: Soong visits mainland     

James CY Soong, presents a Chinese painting to Zeng Qinghong May 11. (Xinhua)

Zeng Qinghong presents a vase to James CY Soong May 11. (Xinhua)

Zeng Qinghong (R) cheers with visiting James CY Soong at a welcoming banquet hosted by Zeng at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 11. (Xinhua)

Zeng Qinghong (R) meets with visiting James CY Soong at the Great Hall of the People May 11. (Xinhua)

Zeng Qinghong, a senior leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC), met with and hosted a banquet for visiting People First Party (PFP) Chairman James CY Soong from Taiwan in Beijing Wednesday afternoon in the Great Hall of the People.

Zeng, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, spoke highly of PFP's consistent stand of adhering to the one-China principle, endorsing the "1992 consensus," opposing and checking "Taiwan independence" and promoting peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

Soong said his party is steadfast in opposing "Taiwan independence".

"Tomorrow, General Secretary Hu Jintao will hold a formal talk with Chairman Soong," said Zeng. "It is the first dialogue between top leaders of the two parties. It is a milestone in the history of relations between the two parties and a great event in cross-Strait relations."

Zeng said the extensive exchanges and dialogues between leaders of the CPC, Kuomintang (KMT) and PFP, based on the one-China principle, "1992 consensus" and firm opposition to "Taiwan independence", are aimed at bringing bright prospects for peace, stability and a win-win cooperation in cross-Strait relations.

Zeng said compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are brothers linked by flesh and blood.

"We are willing to join hands with our Taiwan compatriots to seek a bright future in the development of cross-Strait relations," said Zeng.

He said "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces and their perverse acts have gravely hurt the feelings of people on both sides of the Strait.

"Only through resolutely opposing and checking 'Taiwan independence', can we expect peace and development in cross-Strait relations," said Zeng, adding consistently fighting against 'Taiwan independence' secessionist forces is the top priority in ensuring peaceful and steady development of cross-Strait relations and the fundamental interests of compatriots on both sides.

Zeng said the two sides should further develop cross-Strait relations, increase personnel and economic exchanges to strengthen the forces checking and opposing 'Taiwan independence' and strengthen the foundation for a peaceful reunification.

Soong said people on both sides are of the same ancestry. The PFP firmly opposes "Taiwan independence".

"The PFP has three basic positions. The first stance is its opposition to 'Taiwan independence'," Soong. "We oppose 'Taiwan independence' and never regard it as an option for Taiwan, We are steadfast on this stance."

He said the second basic stance of the PFP is its adherence to the "1992 consensus," in which "we have never wavered." In addition, he added, it is striving to make this stance as a basis for reconciliation across the Taiwan Strait.

The third stance, said Soong, is that both sides of the Taiwan Strait desire peace.

"What people of both sides aspire is to create a foundation for civilization of the Chinese nation and peace across the Taiwan Strait. Let's put up a bridge for mutual trust," said Soong.

Other members of the PFP delegation, including Soong's wife Viola Chen and PFP Vice-Chairman Chang Chao-hsiung, and high-ranking officials of the mainland side, including State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee Chen Yunlin, also attended the meeting and the banquet.

Soong's mainland visit closely followed that of KMT Chairman Lien Chan, made from April 26 to May 3.

Editor: Yan