Top political advisor urges entrepreneurs to boost cross-Strait ties

Top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng on Monday called on entrepreneurs from both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan to contribute to advancing cross-Strait relations and opposing "Taiwan independence."

Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks at the 2016 Zijinshan Summit for Entrepreneurs across the Taiwan Strait.

The peaceful development of cross-Strait relations is faced with severe challenges, because Taiwan authorities refuse to acknowledge the 1992 Consensus centering on the one-China principle, the political foundation for cross-Strait relations, Yu said.

Because of this, cross-Strait communication and consultation mechanisms have come to a halt and the interests and emotions of people on both sides have been hurt, triggering widespread worries from both sides of the Strait, Yu said.

Yu proposed cross-Strait cooperation to cope with changes in global economy, saying that Taiwan compatriots who support the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations will be the first to be able to share the Chinese mainland's development opportunities.

He called for innovation in pursing cross-Strait industries cooperation and creation of conditions to improve the wellbeing of common people and youth on both sides of the Strait.

Yu asked entrepreneurs across the Strait to uphold the 1992 Consensus, oppose "Taiwan independence", and safeguard the peaceful development of cross-Strait ties.

The Zijinshan Summit was first held in 2008. Endi