A declaration adopted Monday at the 16th representatives' congress of the Kuomintang called on the Taiwan authorities to resume consultations with the mainland based on the consensus reached between the two sides in 1992 in order to pave the way for a peaceful and mutually beneficial relationship.

The current 2-day congress has established the power core of the Kuomintang leadership with Chairman Lien Chan at the center, according to reports reaching here from Taipei.

In his speeches delivered at both the opening and closing ceremonies, Lien criticized the performance of the Democratic Progressive Party over the past year and raised concerns over the political, economic, social and environmental chaos of the island.

On cross-Straits relations, Lien pointed out that the Taiwan authorities should seek a peaceful and stable relationship with the mainland and encourage more economic and trade cooperation between the two sides so as to boost the economic recovery of Taiwan.

Also at the congress, some representatives put forward a move to expel former Kuomintang chairman Lee Teng-hui from the party as punishment for his collusion with the forces for Taiwan's " independence".

( People's Daily 08/1/2001)