HANGZHOU, July 8 (Xinhua) -- The mainland's Taiwan affairs chief, Wang Yi, called on Tuesday for further development of cross-Strait relations.

    Wang, director of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, said the development of cross-Strait relations is facing a rare historic opportunity, while the Chinese nation is facing the opportunity of a great rejuvenation.

    "The two opportunities are connected with each other," he said.

    "A good cross-Strait relationship will provide a new driving force for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and the rejuvenation needs the two sides to join hands and work together," Wang said.

    He said the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations is the crystallization of the political wisdom of the CPC and the Kuomintang, the common wish of the people on both sides, and a reflection of the tendency of peace and development around the world.

    It requires joint efforts of both sides, building common understanding, bringing into full play the initiatives, and breaking through obstructions to realize the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, he said.

    Wang made the remarks during a dinner with experts, businessmen and students from Taiwan and the mainland, who will attend a seminar on cross-Strait relations on Wednesday.