BEIJING, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- A mainland spokeswoman Wednesday wished Taiwan compatriots a lucky and happy new year using the Southern Fujian dialect spoken by three out of four people on the Taiwan Island.

"In the lunar year of the tiger, I wish Taiwan compatriots good fortune, good health, longevity and happiness," Fan Liqing, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at the conclusion of a press conference held Wednesday in Beijing.

Fan was born in Nan'an City in Fujian Province, where people usually speak Southern Fujian dialect, or Hokkien, also the main dialect spoken in Taiwan.

The spokesperson for the office has given Taiwanese people new year greetings every Spring Festival since the office started holding regular press conferences in 2000. But it was the first time the spokesperson used the local dialect.

The mainland-based All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots has long suggested mainland officials greet Taiwan compatriots in their local dialect on important festivals to show kindness and respect, according to Ji Bin, vice president of the federation.

"Southern Fujian is the ancestral home to more than 75 percent of people on the island. They have blood ties to the mainland," Ji said.

The press conference was the last for the 2009 lunar year, with the new lunar year starting on Sunday, Feb. 14.

Fan worked for the Xinhua News Agency as a journalist covering Taiwan-related issues before she was transferred to her new post as the Office's deputy director for the information in 2006. She became the Office's first female spokesperson in November 2007.

"Using the local dialect reflects the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office's sincerity to Taiwan compatriots," said a reporter surnamed Chuang from Taiwan-based news channel TVBS who covered the press conference.

"Fan's pronunciation is excellent, and I am sure local people can understand her well," he said.