Mainland official believes cross-Strait ties have improved

Zhang Zhijun, the Chinese mainland's Taiwan affairs chief, on Wednesday called on people across the Taiwan Strait to pool wisdom and determination to manage cross-Strait relations.

Zhang made the remarks on Wednesday at a New Year event attended by journalists from the mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

According to Zhang, last year cross-Strait exchanges reached new heights.

"One year on, we have a more resolute belief in the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. As long as we walk along this correct path, cross-Strait relations will surely embrace brighter future and maintain peace and stability," Zhang said.

Zhang highlighted the 1992 Consensus, the core of which is the acknowledgment that the Chinese mainland and Taiwan belong to one and the same China, as the political foundation for the rapidly developing cross-Strait relations.

Last year saw a milestone meeting between Xi Jinping and Ma Ying-jeou, the first between leaders of the two sides since 1949. Endi