Jia Qinglin (2nd L, front), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, shakes hands with Lien Chan (2nd R, front), honorary chairman of the Kuomintang Party, at the opening ceremony of a forum of social groups of Taiwan compatriots, held in Shanghai, east China, on Sept. 10, 2010. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng)

SHANGHAI, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Top Chinese political advisor Jia Qinglin on Friday called for broader and deeper exchanges between the mainland and Taiwan, and stressed the role of cultural exchanges.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks in Shanghai at a forum of social groups of Taiwan compatriots.

Historic changes have been achieved in cross-Strait relations in recent years along with a series of positive results, and a favorable situation of peaceful development has emerged, Jia said.

He said the fields of exchanges should be expanded to promote cross-Strait exchanges.

He welcomed more Taiwan compatriots to visit the Chinese mainland in the future to enhance their understanding of the mainland's social and economic development, and encouraged more mainlanders to travel to Taiwan, especially to the central and southern parts of the island.

He also hoped that compatriots home and abroad would participate and promote cross-Strait exchanges and benefit from them.

The top political advisor also said cultural exchanges must be enhanced.

Both sides across the Strait should work together to promote the Chinese culture and increase its influence.

Lien Chan, honorary chairman of the Kuomintang Party (KMT), said at the forum that it was not easy to achieve the current peaceful, stable and rapidly developing state of cross-Strait relations.

He urged both sides to cherish such a historic opportunity and lay the groundwork for peace, prosperity and sustainable development across the Strait.