On August 24, Zhang Zhijun, President of the Association for relations across the Taiwan Strait, met with Xia Liyan, vice chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang, and his party in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province. Zhang Zhijun and Xia Liyan are old friends. They both served as heads of departments in charge of cross-strait affairs on both sides and participated in promoting the peaceful development of cross-strait relations. Zhang Zhijun and Xia Liyan met and exchanged views on current cross-strait relations. Zhang Zhijun said that the current situation in the Taiwan Strait is in tension and turbulence. The relevant counter-measures we have taken are just actions to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity and to curb and crack down on "Taiwan independence" separatism and foreign interference. In the face of the complex situation, we should firmly adhere to the common political basis of the "1992 consensus" and oppose "Taiwan independence", strengthen exchanges and communication, jointly safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and benefit compatriots on both sides of the Strait. (news agency)