Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, speaks while attending a conference on Taiwan affairs held in Beijing, capital of China, Jan 25, 2022. [Xinhua/Liu Bin] 

BEIJING -- Wang Yang, a senior leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC), has stressed the importance of maintaining the initiative and ability to steer relations across the Taiwan Straits. 

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks at a conference on Taiwan affairs held in Beijing on Tuesday. 

He underscored resolutely foiling "Taiwan independence" separatist plots and deterring interference by external forces, calling for steady efforts in promoting peaceful and integrated development of cross-Straits relations. 

Wang affirmed the progress made in the work on Taiwan affairs in 2021 when the cross-Straits situation was complicated and was facing mounting risks and challenges. 

"The time and momentum for realizing China's complete reunification are always on our side," Wang said, calling for enhanced confidence. 

He pointed out the need to be firmly aware of worst-case scenarios and be prepared for various risks and challenges. 

The provocation from "Taiwan independence" elements and interference by external forces must be resolutely contained, and efforts should be made to shore up a strong front for opposing independence and promoting reunification, Wang said. 

He called for improving policies to share development opportunities with Taiwan enterprises and compatriots and ensure equal treatment for them, and urged greater efforts to facilitate the participation of Taiwan people at the grassroots and Taiwan youth in cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation. 

Support should be given to Fujian province to explore new ways of integrated development across the Straits, and efforts be made to better explain the mainland's policies to people in Taiwan so that they would defend the greater national interests and differentiate right from wrong, Wang said. 

He instructed the departments in charge of Taiwan affairs to sharpen their capability of political judgment, thinking and implementation, and improve the training of relevant officials.