The leader of the Chinese mainland's Taiwan affairs authority said that compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits should work together to strengthen exchanges and cooperation to create a better future.

Song Tao, head of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks on Tuesday while visiting young people from Taiwan who are living in Beijing ahead of the Spring Festival.

Song said that the youth on both sides of the Straits are critical in efforts to develop cross-Straits relations, promote the peaceful reunification of the motherland and rejuvenate the nation.

"I hope you will gain more confidence and view the overall situation of cross-Straits relations correctly," he said to the group of 31 people, some of whom shared their experiences in working, living and studying on the mainland during the meeting.

Song said Taiwan's young people should resolutely oppose separatism and efforts to achieve "Taiwan independence". He noted that they should recognize the serious harm such efforts could cause as well as the sinister intentions by foreign parties that are encouraging them.

Compatriots on both sides of the Straits are eager to accelerate the resumption of personnel exchanges and promote cooperation, he said.

"The mainland will continue to work to benefit our Taiwan compatriots and do practical things to solve their problems," Song said. "We welcome the majority of Taiwan."

He invited more Taiwan compatriots to visit the mainland and make joint efforts to develop cross-Straits relations.

"As long as family members visit each other more often, they get closer," he added.