Zeng Qinghong, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), met with and hosted a banquet for James CY Soong, chairman of the People First Party (PFP) in Taiwan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday. Soong is heading a high-level PFP delegation from Taiwan on its first visit to the mainland.

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 policy, endorsing the "1992 consensus", opposing and keeping in check "Taiwan independence", and promoting the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.

Zeng, also a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, added that the formal talks between General Secretary Hu Jintao of the CPC Central Committee and Soong on Thursday will be a milestone in the history of the two parties' relations, and a great event in terms of cross-Straits talks.

Soong's visit was preceded by a historic visit to the mainland by Kuomintang (KMT) chairman Lien Chan. Lien was in the Chinese capital from April 26 to May 5.

Zeng said both leaders and members of the two delegations had brought with them the aspirations of the Taiwanese people who seek communication, peace, stability and development.

Soong said that people on both sides of the Straits are of the same ancestry, and the PFP firmly opposes "Taiwan independence".

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

Second is the party's adherence to the "1992 consensus" in relation to which "we have never wavered." He added that the PFP it is striving to make this stance a basis for reconciliation across the Taiwan Straits.

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

"What people of both sides aspire to is to create a foundation for civilization of the Chinese nation and peace across the Taiwan Straits. 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 from the mainland, including State Councilor, Tang Jiaxuan, and Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee, Chen Yunlin, also attended the meeting and the banquet.

(Xinhua News Agency May 12, 2005)