SHANGHAI, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin said Thursday mutual political trust and positive interaction between the mainland and Taiwan had contributed to the sound development of cross-Strait relations.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made these remarks in a meeting with Lien Chan, honorary chairman of the Kuomintang Party (KMT), his wife and Taiwan representatives attending a forum in Shanghai.

Jia, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the development of cross-Strait relations over the past two years had brought tangible benefits for people on both sides.

Jia called both sides to further strengthen mutual political trust on the basis of opposing the secessionist activities of the "Taiwan independence" forces and sticking with the 1992 Consensus, which states that both sides adhere to the "one China" principle.

Practice has proved that the progressive method of "tackling easy things first, difficult things later; and economic affairs first, political affairs later" is effective in developing cross-Strait relations, according to Jia.

He called on both sides across the Taiwan Strait to further promote exchanges and cooperation in economy, science, culture and education, and address problems concerning people's immediate interests.

People from all walks of life on both sides are welcome to offer constructive proposals to solve problems in the future, he said.

"We are fully aware of the problems and challenges in the development of cross-Strait relations. We believe the trends towards the great revitalization of the Chinese nation and the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations are irreversible." Jia said.

During the meeting, Lien Chan also said the development of cross-Strait relations was an unstoppable trend.

The signing of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) in June between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan would benefit people on both sides, Lien said.

Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait were "one family", he noted.