Jia Qinglin, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with James Soong, chairman of Taiwan's People First Party (PFP), in Shanghai on Thursday.

Jia said positive factors in cross-Straits relations conducive to containing secessionist activities have been on the rise thanks to endeavors of compatriots on both sides, and people in Taiwan are more willing to step up communication and cooperation and promote the peace and stability.

However, the risk of secessionist forces seeking to create a legal basis for "Taiwan independence" through amending the constitution still exists, he said, and the fight to oppose and contain them remains severe and complex.

Soong said the Taiwanese had seen the sincerity and resolution of the CPC to promote peace and stability across the Straits through its recent actions.

He urged compatriots on both sides to use wisdom to cope with problems cropping up in the cross-Straits relations. They should never allow secessionist forces to undermine relations, Soong said.

"Since May, the CPC, Kuomintang and PFP have vigorously implemented their consensus and have made substantial progress. The mainland is exerting itself to turn its promise into action," said Jia, also Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Jia and Soong met at a nongovernmental forum organized by their parties to implement the communiqué Soong signed with Hu Jintao, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee in May.

(Xinhua News Agency September 16, 2005)