Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, called on Tuesday for people from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan to remember history, unite to safeguard peace and promote cross-Straits relations and national rejuvenation.

Xi made the comments when he met with Lien Chan, former chairman of the Kuo-mintang, Taiwan's ruling party, and other representatives from the island, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The Taiwan delegation is in Beijing to attend a series of events, including the military parade in Tian'anmen Square on Thursday to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-45) and World Anti-Fascist War.

Victory in the war was "China's first complete victory against foreign invasion in modern times", Xi said, adding that the achievement was made through the struggle of the entire nation, including residents of Taiwan.

The CPC and the KMT jointly established a united front to counter Japan and to safeguard sovereignty and national dignity with blood and lives, he said.

"The frontline battlefield and the battlefield behind enemy lines closely coordinated with each other and both made important contributions to the victory," Xi said, adding that "history will forever remember the revolutionaries".

"Both sides are celebrating the victory to commemorate the brave resistance against invasion made by the whole Chinese nation," he added.

Lien said during the meeting, "We shall develop cross-Straits ties on the common political foundations of the 1992 Consensus and opposition to 'Taiwan independence'. " The 1992 Consensus refers to the agreement that acknowledges that the Chinese mainland and Taiwan belong to one and the same China.

Xinhua said some KMT veterans have been invited to take part in the parade for their contributions during the war and to the independence of the Chinese people.

Following his first visit to the mainland in 2005, Lien has played an important role in cross-Straits development. It was his third meeting with Xi, following previous ones in Beijing in 2013 and last year.

It was also the second time this year that Xi had met political leaders from the KMT. On May 4, he met with KMT Chairman Eric Chu in Beijing and stressed that both sides of the Taiwan Straits should build a community of shared destiny and settle political differences through consultation as equals.

Ni Yongjie, deputy director of the Shanghai Institute of Taiwan Studies, said, "The president's meeting with Lien and inviting KMT veterans to the parade means the contribution from the KMT and Taiwan residents during World War II is appreciated.

"Lien's first visit to the mainland in 2005 was an icebreaking moment, and this time his meeting with Xi also has historic significance."

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(China Daily 09/02/2015 page1)