BEIJING -- A Chinese mainland spokesman on Saturday called on compatriots across the Taiwan Straits to make continued efforts for peaceful cross-Straits relations after Taiwan finished an election for local government officials.

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks when asked to comment on the election.

"We have noticed the results of the election," said Ma. "We hope compatriots across the Straits will cherish hard-won fruits of cross-Straits relations, and jointly safeguard and continue to push forward peaceful development of cross-Straits relations."