Top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng has stressed adherence to the 1992 Consensus and opposing “Taiwan independence” as the key to ensuring the peaceful development of cross-strait relations.

Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks Saturday while meeting representatives of the attendees at the ongoing 9th Straits Forum.

The core of the 1992 Consensus is the one-China policy, which states that both the mainland and Taiwan belong to one and the same China. It explicitly sets out that the fundamental nature of relations across the Taiwan Strait are not state-to-state relations.

After clarifying this, many issues between the two sides could be solved through consultation, said Yu.

By refusing to endorse the 1992 Consensus, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration has undermined the political foundation of the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, said Yu.

Yu called on the DPP to clarify the nature of cross-strait relations and implement it through action. “It is an issue that cannot be avoided,” said Yu.

The ninth Strait Forum started Saturday in east China’s Fujian Province to boost grassroots exchange between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan.

During the week-long forum, 21 activities on youth exchange, grassroots communities and trade will be held, as well as 15 parallel activities across the province.

Topics of common concern for people across the Taiwan Strait, including cultural inheritance, employment, entrepreneurship, tourism, health care and vocational education will be covered in the discussions, according to the forum calendar.

The forum will also feature a group wedding for 50 cross-strait couples and a traditional martial arts competition.

This year marks the 30th anniversary since the two sides started people-to-people communication across the Strait.