Vice-President Zeng Qinghong described today's meeting between People First Party (PFP) chairman James Soong Chu-yu and Communist Party General Secretary Hu Jintao as a significant event in cross-strait relations.
Mr Soong is the second opposition leader from Taiwan to have visited Beijing this month, but Taiwanese sources have predicted his talks with Mr Hu will produce more concrete results, because he came with a personal message from Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian. The two sides are expected to make a joint statement that they have reached an agreement on the interpretation of the '1992 consensus' which recognises 'one China'.
Mr Zeng, who ranks No5 in the ruling hierarchy and sits on the Politburo Standing Committee, holds the portfolio on Hong Kong and Macau affairs. It is the first time he has received a Taiwanese delegation.
After the meeting, he hosted a banquet in honour of Mr Soong and the PFP delegation.
'The meeting is the first exchange and dialogue between the top leaders of the Communist Party and People First Party,' Mr Zeng said before he met Mr Soong in the Great Hall of the People yesterday afternoon.
'It is a significant event in cross-strait relations.'
He called on the Taiwanese people to work together to achieve common prosperity for the Chinese nation and fight against the pro-independence movement on the island.