BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland will resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence," and continue to improve cross-Strait exchanges this year, according to the mainland's Taiwan affairs chief Tuesday.

Zhang Zhijun, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the comments at a meeting of the Chinese mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS).

Zhang called for resolute implementation of the central authorities' Taiwan policies to safeguard peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

Zhang also urged to continue adhering to the 1992 Consensus, which embodies the one-China principle and resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence" secessionist activities; promote cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation to enhance cross-Strait integrated economic and social development.

Zhang also thanked the ARATS for its work over the past year to promote relations across the Strait.

Chen Deming, president of the ARATS, said the association would continue to carry out exchanges between the two sides of the Strait, and serve the people from mainland and Taiwan.

Founded in 1991, the ARATS is authorized by the mainland to handle cross-Strait affairs.