CPC Central Committee, Xi invite KMT chairperson to visit mainland

The Communist Party of China Central Committee and Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, have invited Cheng Li-wun, chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang party, to visit the Chinese mainland from April 7 to 12, a senior official announced on Monday.

Song Tao, head of the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee, said Cheng has expressed her willingness to visit the mainland on multiple occasions since taking office. To promote the peaceful development of relations between the CPC and the KMT, as well as cross-Strait relations, Song was authorized to announce that Cheng is welcome to lead a KMT delegation to visit Jiangsu, Shanghai and Beijing on the mainland.

Song said the mainland side will stay in communication with the KMT regarding Cheng's visit and make proper arrangements.

Cheng expressed her thanks and accepted the invitation later through the office of the KMT chairperson.

Cheng expressed the hope that both parties will work together to advance the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, enhance exchanges and cooperation, contribute to peace in the Taiwan Strait, and improve people's well-being on both sides, the office said in a statement.

Zheng Jian, a professor of Taiwan studies at Xiamen University, said the basis for communication and cooperation between the two parties is the 1992 Consensus. "Cheng's visit, therefore, is naturally seen as being built on that political foundation and as helping curb the growing arrogance of 'Taiwan independence' forces," Zheng said.

He stated that strengthening cross-Strait economic and trade ties, as well as people-to-people and youth exchanges, is the shared desire of the overwhelming majority of people. Yet separatist forces advocating "Taiwan independence" separatists including the Lai and the DPP administration, are determined to obstruct such efforts.

"The mainland has consistently maintained a positive attitude toward cross-Strait exchanges, and this visit is expected to further break the DPP's information cocoon," he said.