The two sides of the Taiwan Straits must and will be reunified, Liu Jieyi, head of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said on the sidelines of the ongoing two sessions.

Over the years, exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Straits have become more extensive and the bonds of affection between the two sides have deepened, he said.

"Our compatriots in Taiwan now better understand that only when the cross-Straits relations become better, will they have a better future," he said, adding that "We are increasingly capable of promoting the peaceful reunification of the country and bringing benefits to compatriots on both sides."

"Although the situation remains severe and complicated,we have always taken the initiative in maintaining the dominant role in the cross-Straits relations," Liu said.

National reunification is a historical task and an irresistible historical trend and the fact that both sides belong to one country has never changed, and Taiwan is part of China, he said.

Liu said the proposal of "one country, two systems" is to take into account the reality of the island and protect the interests and well-being of Taiwan compatriots.

"After peaceful reunification, their way of life and social system will be fully respected," he added.

On the basis of recognizing the 1992 consensus with the one-China principle and opposing "Taiwan independence", the mainland is ready to conduct democratic consultations with representatives of political parties and people from all walks of life in Taiwan, according to Liu.

"We will conduct extensive and in-depth discussions on cross-Straits relations and the future of the Chinese nation with them, and make institutional arrangements together for the peaceful development," he added.

"Taiwan independence" advocates are only a minority on the island, and they are the common enemy for both sides. Opposing those separatists is in the common interest of all Chinese people," he said.

The mainland will continue to deepen the integrative development of the two sides, share the development opportunities of the mainland with Taiwan residents, and gradually provide them with the same treatment as the mainland residents when they study, start businesses, find jobs and live on the mainland.