Chinese official, Zhang Zhijun, president of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) has called for efforts from both sides of the Taiwan Strait to promote China's reunification and national rejuvenation.

Zhang made the remarks in a New Year's message carried in the very first issue of the "<em>Relations Across the Taiwan Strait</em>" magazine for year 2021, <em>Xinhua</em> news agency reported.

He stressed that ARATS has been upholding the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus in the past year, Zhang said the association also made efforts to improve Taiwan compatriots' understanding of the mainland's principles and policies.

Under the one-China principle, China includes regions like Tibet, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the territories of many neighbours as part of China.

The association overcame adverse effects brought by the Covid-19 pandemic and disruptions from individuals on the island last year to keep in touch with people from all walks of life in Taiwan, and played a positive role in maintaining the momentum of cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation with various forms of interactions, he said.

Zhang expressed his hope that Taiwan compatriots would uphold the national interests, follow the historical trend, and work together with people on the mainland for China's reunification and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

<em>(IANS)</em>.