PBSC member and Chairman of the CPPCC, Wang Yang, addressing the conference on Taiwan affairs on January 23, said the basic policy on Taiwan remains unchanged and called for efforts to promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait ties and the process toward peaceful reunification of the motherland. He said "[We] must…persist with the policy of ‘peaceful unification, [under] one country two systems,’ and persist with the 'One China principle'. He added  that the focus will be on facilitating cross-strait exchanges, and further integrating the two societies. Xinhua said he noted that "the integrated development across the Strait should be deepened, with exchanges and cooperation to be expanded and preferential policies for Taiwan compatriots to be fully implemented.” He called for more efforts to "establish more exchange channels for young people from both sides, with an aim of providing youths from Taiwan with more opportunities and a better environment to study, find jobs, start businesses and conduct exchanges on the mainland.”

(Comment: Despite such conciliatory remarks, cross-Strait tension remains high.)