Premier Li Keqiang has urged business people from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan to firmly safeguard the political foundation for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and deepen cross-Strait economic cooperation.

Li made the remarks on Thursday while meeting a delegation headed by Vincent Siew, honorary chairman of the Taiwan-based Cross-Straits Common Market Foundation, at the ongoing 2016 Boao Forum for Asia (BFA).

"Our major policies and measures related to Taiwan are clear and consistent, and will never alter with the changes of Taiwan's political situation," Li said, stressing that with the 1992 Consensus as the political basis peaceful development of cross-Strait relations was assured.

Li said the mainland was willing to push forward cooperation and exchange in various aspects with the island and share development opportunities with Taiwan compatriots to realize mutual benefits.

According to Li, cross-Strait relations are now in a crucial stage, and "everything can be worked out" if the 1992 Consensus is acknowledged and it is agreed that both sides belong to one China.

"We must still walk the path of peaceful development and build a wonderful future together," Li said, adding that "Taiwan independence" has no future and the blood ties between mainland and Taiwan compatriots will never be severed.

The premier said the economic transformation and upgrade in the mainland will bring huge development opportunities for Taiwan companies as well as greater benefits for cross-Strait economic cooperation, urging Taiwan companies to make use of their advantages.

Li expressed his hope that mainland and Taiwan could strengthen dialogues concerning macroeconomic policies, industrial policy coordinations and innovation, and build an industrial cooperation mechanism to support each other and create fuels for common development.

Li urged business people from both sides, as "participants, promoters and the biggest beneficiaries of cross-Strait exchange," to firmly safeguard the political foundation for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and deepen cross-Strait economic ties so as to increase benefits for people from both sides.

Siew vowed to boost economic cooperation between the two sides based on the peaceful cross-Strait development over the past years.

The BFA is a non-governmental and non-profit international institution founded in 2001 to promote regional economic development and cooperation. This year's theme is "Asia's New Future: New Dynamics and New Vision."

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