Premier Li Keqiang met a delegation led by Vincent Siew, honorary chairman of the Taiwan-based Cross-Straits Common Market Foundation, in Boao, Hainan province, on March 27.

Premier Li appreciated the efforts of the foundation to promote the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and pragmatic cooperation.

Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits are family, Premier Li said, adding that affirming the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, while opposing Taiwan independence, to promote the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and reunification of the motherland is in line with the fundamental well-being of people on both sides.

Noting the important contributions made by Taiwan entrepreneurs and investment to the economic development of the mainland, Premier Li welcomed Taiwan entrepreneurs to continue to invest in the mainland.

“The original preferential policies will be maintained to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan entrepreneurs, and new measures will also be introduced for tangible results,” Premier Li said.

Taiwan enterprises can not only refer to the new Foreign Investment Law, but also enjoy the same treatment as mainland enterprises, he said, citing that tax and fee reduction practices in the mainland will also benefit Taiwan businesses.

“We are willing to expand imports of agricultural products and aquatic products from Taiwan and adopt more facilitating and preferential policies,” the Premier said.

“We hope the two sides will strengthen economic and cultural exchanges and promote integrated development, letting Taiwan compatriots share the development opportunities of the mainland.”

“We will also take Taiwan compatriots’ advice and introduce more new policies to provide equal treatment to Taiwan compatriots who come to the mainland for tourism, study, life and work,” he added.

Siew said that people on both sides are all Chinese descendants who should work together, help each other and support each other.

He also said Taiwan is willing to work together with the mainland to improve the cross-Straits common market, to promote integrated development, and consolidate the foundation for the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.

State Councilor and Secretary-General of the State Council Xiao Jie also attended the meeting.