China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin on Friday said efforts to deepen political mutual trust between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan should always be a primary condition for the peaceful development of cross-Strait ties.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks during his speech at the opening ceremony of the second forum of social groups of Taiwan compatriots.

Jia called for measures to improve cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation as well as efforts to oppose and contain the "Taiwan independence" stance.

Social groups of Taiwan compatriots on the two sides of the Strait as well as those around the world are important forces to advance the peaceful development of cross-Strait ties, Jia said.

He called on the groups to make further efforts to unite people across the Strait and improve the communication and cooperation among the public of the two sides of the Strait.

In recent years, cross-Strait relations have witnessed significant and positive progress and the people on the two sides of the Strait are in closer contact and have reached a broad range of interests in common, Jia said.

The peaceful development of cross-Strait relations is the common aspiration of the people on both sides of the Strait and it also is in line with the interests of the entire Chinese nation, he added.

By making joint efforts to maintain and carry forward the peaceful development of cross-Strait ties, compatriots across the Strait will also be the beneficiaries of the development, Jia said.

Vice Chairman of the Kuomintang Party John Chiang said the peaceful development of cross-Strait ties is the aim of the joint efforts of the people on the two sides of the Strait.

He also stressed the promotion of Chinese culture among the youths on the two sides of the Strait.