Cross-Straits economic cooperation should never be undermined because it can benefit people on both the mainland and Taiwan, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday.

Mainland authorities will take more proactive measures to hear the voices of people in Taiwan, especially from the grassroots, to ensure that cross-Straits economic exchanges benefit more people, Xi said.

Xi, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with Taiwan's People First Party Chairman James C.Y. Soong on Wednesday morning in Beijing.

"We sincerely hope to see a stable, economically developed Taiwan whose people live a peaceful and happy life," Xi said.

The comments followed the end of a protest on the island that started in mid-March, when hundreds of students stormed the legislative chamber to protest a cross-Straits service trade pact.

The protest lasted until April 10, when the students retreated. Soong is the first political figure from Taiwan to visit the mainland since the incident ended.

Both sides must create conditions for more exchanges between young people to help them see the peaceful development of cross-Straits ties and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and to enable them to shoulder the responsibility of realizing the dual tasks, Xi said.

"With the understanding that both sides of the Taiwan Straits are part of one family, there is no difficulty that cannot be overcome as long as each feels for the other and treats the other with sincerity," Xi said.

People from all walks of life on both sides should enhance communications and understanding, and mutual trust is the key to settling many difficult problems, he said.

Xi spoke highly of Soong and the PFP's efforts in boosting cross-Straits ties, adding that he hoped the PFP will uphold the one-China principle and continue to oppose separatist attempts for "Taiwan independence".

Soong said the PFP will stick to its principle that the two sides belong to one China and that it opposes "Taiwan independence". He said that the PFP will make efforts to enhance exchanges and political mutual trust across the Straits.

Soong has been chairman of the PFP since he founded it in March 2000. He visited the mainland in 2005 and 2009.

Kaohsiung City Councilor Wu I-cheng, a member of the visiting delegation, said the mainland is of great importance to Taiwan in economic development issues, People's Daily reported.

Cross-Straits communications have been enhanced in recent years with the warming of bilateral ties.

On Tuesday, Zhang Baoshun, Party chief of East China's Anhui province, began a six-day trip with a delegation to Taiwan. He met with Wu Po-hsiung, honorary chairman of the Kuomingtang, on Tuesday evening, and both men promised to enhance economic and cultural exchanges.

Xinhua contributed to this story.

anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 05/08/2014 page2)