Soong made the remark in a speech at the opening ceremony the first forum of elites from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, which was held in Shanghai Thursday.

The two sides across the Taiwan Straits should promote understanding on the basis of reconciliation, remove misunderstanding, learn from each other's strong points and offset weaknesses, and join hand to realize the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, he said.

Taiwanese on the mainland, including students, businessmen and farmers, have felt the sincerity of the mainland in pushing the exchanges between the two sides and its positive meaning, he said,"we have seen the goodwill shown by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC)."

Soong also said people on both sides do not want war, but expect to solve problems through economic exchanges and hope the cross-Straits relation to go peacefully and steadily, so that all Chinese would be confident in the future.

The two-day forum attracted more than 120 scholars and business celebrities from both sides of the Straits. They will discuss issues such as the economic development of the Chinese mainland, Taiwan businessmen's investment in the mainland, direct air and shipping links across the Straits, the prospect of agricultural exchange and cooperation between the two sides during the forum.

Jointly sponsored by Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the policy research center of the PFP Central Committee, the forum is regarded as a major step in implementing the communique issued after the meeting between Hu Jintao, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, and PFP Chairman James Soong in May.