Chinese mainland official meets delegation from Taiwan

Wang Yi (R), director of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, accepts a gift from a member of visiting delegation of ethnic groups from southeast China's Taiwan in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 22, 2009. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai)

Wang Yi (L), director of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, accepts a gift from a member of visiting delegation of ethnic groups from southeast China's Taiwan in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 22, 2009. Wang Yi on Tuesday met and dined the delegation, who arrived for the exhibition on the history and culture of ethnic groups in Taiwan.(Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai)

Wang Yi (R), director of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, proposes a toast during a dinner with visiting delegation of ethnic groups from southeast China's Taiwan in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 22, 2009.(Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai)

Wang Yi (1st R), director of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, sings a song of during a dinner with visiting delegation of ethnic groups from southeast China's Taiwan in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 22, 2009. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai)

Wang Yi (R), director of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, shakes hands with a member of visiting delegation of ethnic groups from southeast China's Taiwan in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 22, 2009. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai)

BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland official Tuesday called on people across the Taiwan Strait to offer mutual assistance so as to promote common development and prosperity.

Wang Yi, director of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with a delegation of ethnic minorities from Taiwan.

People from mainland and Taiwan are of the same origin and related by blood, he said, noting ethnic minorities in Taiwan are also important members of the Chinese nation.

In the process of advancing cross-Strait relations, the mainland would continue to do more practical things to contribute to the well-being of ethnic minorities in Taiwan, he said.

The delegation was invited by the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots to attend Monday's opening ceremony of the exhibition of Taiwan ethnic minorities' history and culture.