'Cross-Straits peaceful development should be cherished'

A mainland spokeswoman has said that the hard-earned peaceful development of cross-Straits relations has benefited compatriots from both sides and should be cherished.

Since 2008, the mainland and Taiwan have created a new situation for the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations with joint efforts, and people from both sides would not be willing to see that situation disturbed, said Fan Liqing of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council at a press conference on Wednesday.

The mainland is willing to listen to more suggestions from people of all walks of life in Taiwan on cross-Straits cooperation in order to benefit more Taiwanese people, she said.

"We hope that follow-up agreements to the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, including a goods trade pact, will not be hampered by student protests," said Fan.

On March 18, hundreds of students stormed into Taiwan's legislative chamber to protest the service trade pact between the mainland and Taiwan, which aims to open up 80 of the mainland's service sectors to Taiwan and 64 Taiwan sectors to the mainland.

The protesters exited the legislative building on April 11.