Premier Li: China opposes attempts for 'Taiwan independence'

China will not tolerate the attempt of any external force to use Taiwan as a card to cause difficulties for cross-Straits relations, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang warned on Tuesday.

Li made the remarks at a news conference after the closing meeting of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress.

Li noted that the mainland and Taiwan belong to "one and the same China" and must not tolerate any attempt for "Taiwan independence".

Beijing is ready to have dialogues and consultation with all political parties and groups in Taiwan who adhere to the one-China principle to discuss all issues that concern people on both sides and work for peaceful development of cross-Straits relations to eventually achieve China's peaceful reunification, Li said.

"We believe that represents the fundamental interests of our nation," he said.

Li said the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations has served the well-being of people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, and China vows to continue to pursue the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.

"We have always been working to ensure that our compatriots from Taiwan will be able to enjoy the same treatment as mainlanders do when they come to work, live or study on the mainland, because we are members of the same family," Li said.

Beijing has recently issued 31 measures to promote cross-Straits economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation. Taiwan people will gradually be granted equal status with residents of the Chinese mainland with regard to entrepreneurship, employment, education and living.