Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with Ma Ying-jeou during their meeting at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore, Nov. 7, 2015. The Chinese mainland"s Taiwan affairs chief Zhang Zhijun says the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou is a historical milestone. [Photo: Xinhua] The Chinese mainland"s Taiwan affairs chief says that relations between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan reached new heights in 2015. Zhang Zhijun made the statement at a press conference Wednesday, adding that the two sides should adhere to the same political foundation based on the 1992 Consensus. He said a historical milestone was set by the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou last November. "It was the first meeting between the leaders from the two sides in 66 years. Based on the political foundation of the 1992 Consensus, the two sides exchanged views on strengthening and promoting cross-Strait relations. The meeting is a milestone in the history of cross-Strait relations." Zhang also said the two sides have made remarkable achievements in cooperation in the fields of economy, trade and personnel exchanges. "The cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises from the two sides have made new progress. The number of Taiwan-invested companies on the mainland rose 22 percent last year, which means that the mainland opened its door for economic and trade cooperation with Taiwan and this created many opportunities." A day before the press conference, the Taiwan Affairs Office said the Chinese mainland is considering allowing its residents to transfer through Taiwan"s Taoyuan International airport. It will first be limited to flights to or from the cities of Nanchang, Kunming and Chongqing. The plan will be implemented after preparations are completed. |
