BEIJING -- A spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office noted that the visit of Ma Ying-jeou, former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, to the Chinese mainland showed that compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits are Chinese and of one family.

Ma's visit drew wide attention from both sides of the Straits and received positive comments from the public, spokesperson Zhu Fenglian said Wednesday at a press conference.

It has positive significance for promoting the exchanges between compatriots on both sides of the Straits and the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, Zhu said.

The visit also showed the common hope of compatriots on both sides for cross-Straits peace, development, communication and cooperation, and manifested that the 1992 Consensus is the fundamental anchor for the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, the spokesperson said.

Zhu expressed the hope that the compatriots on the two sides of the Straits join hands on the common political foundation of upholding the 1992 Consensus and secure the long-term welfare of the Chinese nation.