The director of the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office met with a delegation from Taiwan's New Party on Monday to promote peaceful development of cross-Straits relations. Cross-Straits relations have faced challenges because the Democratic Progressive Party, the ruling party in Taiwan, has refused to recognize the one-China principle, leading to a suspension of official communications between the mainland and the island, Zhang said. The mainland has issued a series of favorable policies to help Taiwan residents study, work and live in the mainland. "As a party, we are against 'Taiwan independence', promoting peaceful development and realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," Yok said. The eight-day visit by the New Party delegation will end on Saturday, according to An Fengshan, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office.