BEIJING - Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Monday stressed the CPC's duty to carry forward the peaceful development of mainland-Taiwan relations.

"It is the duty of the new CPC leadership to continue promoting the peaceful development of cross-Straits ties and the peaceful reunification of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait," Xi said while meeting with visiting Honorary Chairman of the Kuomintang Lien Chan at the Great Hall of the People.

According to Xi, the new CPC leaders have full confidence in unwaveringly promoting the peaceful development of mainland-Taiwan ties and overcoming difficulties in ushering in new prospects for the relations, as well as in joining hands with Taiwan compatriots to embrace the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The CPC is aiming for new achievements in cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation in order to bring greater welfare to both the mainland and Taiwan, he stressed.

"We will maintain consistency in policies toward Taiwan by unswervingly upholding the one-China principle and continuing to promote cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation," Xi said.

Unremitting efforts will be made to consolidate and strengthen a political, economic, cultural and social foundation for the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, he vowed.

Nothing can cut the blood bond between mainland and Taiwan compatriots and nothing can change the fact that both sides belong to one China, Xi said.

Moreover, nothing can hinder the Chinese resolve to make the Chinese nation outstanding, he added.

Xi expressed his hope that Taiwan can develop along with the mainland and that compatriots from both sides of the strait can cooperate in realizing the "Chinese dream".

Realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation -- the greatest dream in the country's modern history -- requires the joint efforts of people from both sides of the strait, he said.

"If brothers are of the same mind, their sharpness can cut through metal," Xi said.

Working together to promote the peaceful development of cross-Straits ties and realizing the Chinese nation's great rejuvenation should be the theme of cross-Straits relations, as well as the shared mission of people across the strait, Xi said.

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