TIANJIN -- A Chinese mainland official has stressed the importance of strengthening exchanges and cooperation between people from both sides of the Taiwan Straits, saying it is the common aspiration of compatriots on both sides and accords with their shared interests.

Liu Jieyi, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks while addressing the opening ceremony of the Tianjin-Taiwan trade fair in Tianjin municipality Tuesday.

A tiny number of separatist elements advocating "Taiwan independence" have been acting against the public will, conspiring with outside forces, instigating confrontation between the two sides, and impeding exchanges and cooperation between people on both sides of the Straits, Liu said.

"'Taiwan independence' is a path to nowhere," Liu said, calling on Taiwan compatriots to see through the separatists' pernicious nature and stop their separatist schemes seeking "Taiwan independence."

Liu said the mainland has always been the best choice for Taiwan compatriots and business people to invest in and start their businesses, and the greatest opportunity for their future development.

Taiwan compatriots have overcome obstacles from the island and actively participated in cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation activities such as the Tianjin-Taiwan trade fair. "It shows that deepening cross-Straits exchanges and forging closer ties between people from both sides are a prevailing trend and what the people desire. It cannot be suppressed or held back by any forces," he said.