Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), speaks at the 8th congress of the national association of Taiwan compatriots which was held in Beijing, capital of China on Dec. 5, 2007. (Xinhua Photo)

BEIJING -- China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin Wednesday urged Taiwan compatriots living on the Chinese mainland to further promote the development of cross-Straits relations.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks at the 8th congress of the national association of Taiwan compatriots which opened in Beijing Wednesday.

Taiwan compatriots living on the mainland are an importance force in promoting reform and opening up, the modernization drive and realization of the reunification of the motherland, he said.

To resolve the Taiwan question and achieve complete reunification is a common aspiration of all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation including Taiwan compatriots, he said.

"We will never waver in our commitment to the one-China principle, never abandon our efforts to achieve peaceful reunification," he said.

All the principles and polices towards the Taiwan question by the mainland have shown our sincerity to achieve peace on the two sides across the Taiwan Straits, and our confidence and determination to combat and curb Taiwan separatist activities, he said.

He said, "Forces in curbing 'Taiwan independence' and supporting peaceful development of the two sides are increasing in recent years.

"But some Taiwan authority leader, for one party or one person's benefits, stubbornly clings to separatist activities such as insisting on a referendum on U.N. membership," he said, adding "this has seriously impaired the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations."

He expressed his hope that "Taiwan compatriots living on the mainland can stick to the peaceful development road and unite Taiwan compatriots, compatriots of Hong Kong and Macao as well as other overseas compatriots to actively promote development of cross-Straits relations.

"Taiwan compatriots should adhere to the one-China principle and oppose Taiwan separatist activities," he said.

Over 300 Taiwan compatriots living on Chinese mainland attended the meeting. During the five-day meeting, representatives will review the work report by the 7th executive council of the national association of Taiwan compatriots, elect the 8th executive council of the association and review an amendment to the association's constitution.

The associations of Taiwan compatriots at various levels act as bridges between the party, government and Taiwan compatriots, he said.