CPC congratulates KMT on plenary congress

The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Sunday congratulated the Kuomintang (KMT) in Taiwan on its plenary congress, voicing expectation of deepening peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. The KMT on Sunday held its 19th plenary congress, at which Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou delivered a speech as KMT chairman, calling for pushing forward reform and unity in his party. In a statement to the KMT Central Committee and Ma Ying-jeou, the CPC Central Committee said it expected the two parties to stick to the common wish for peaceful cross-Strait development. The two parties should strengthen the one-China consensus, deepen mutual trust, and make new contributions to deepening the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, bolster the well-being of compatriots on both sides and realize the great renewal of the Chinese nation, the statement said. In response, the KMT Central Committee said that the two parties, on the basis of the 1992 Consensus, have made unprecedented progress in promoting exchanges and cooperation in various fields over the past five years. The KMT expects to work with the CPC to boost Chinese culture and revitalize the Chinese nation, in a bid to improve the well-being of people on both sides. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, on Sunday made congratulatory calls to Lien Chan and Wu Poh-hsiung respectively for their reappointment of KMT honorary chairmen. Lien and Wu called back to express their thanks.