Zheng Jianbang, vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, delivered a speech at an academic symposium titled "Sun Yat-sen and the first cooperation between the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Kuomintang (KMT)" in Beijing on May 17. 

Pointing out that the first cooperation between the two parties had both great historical significance and profound realistic implications, Zheng said that China is now closer to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation than at any point in history, with the modernized China once envisioned by Sun gradually becoming a reality. Chinese people have all realized that the leadership of the CPC is the fundamental guarantee for this rejuvenation, he added. 

He called on Chinese compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits to bear the national interests in mind, pass on and carry forward a sense of patriotism, resolutely oppose the separatist force seeking "Taiwan Independence", promote the peaceful development of the cross-Straits relationship, and strive to realize China’s reunification.