Former vice chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang, Chiang Hsiao-yen, stressed that regardless of his provincial origin he will always be Chinese during a cross-Strait exchange event in Central China's Shanxi province.

Over 400 people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait participated in exchange activities in various cities in Shanxi from Tuesday to Saturday, including visits, project collaborations, internships and employment opportunities aimed at promoting cross-Strait integration.

Chiang, son of a former Taiwan leader Chiang Ching-kuo, said during the event: "Whether I am from Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Guizhou or Taiwan, despite various historical reasons that shape the current status, we are always Chinese. That's something that cannot be changed."

He has taken his family to pay respect to his ancestral home on the Chinese mainland many times and stressed in multiple occasions that one should not forget his origins.

Pan Xianzhang, deputy director of the Taiwan Work Office of the State Council, said at the event in Shanxi that Taiwan compatriots should firmly draw a clear line between themselves and the separatist actions of "Taiwan independence" and external forces to safeguard the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait.

Jin Xiangjun, governor of Shanxi province, said that Shanxi will continuously improve measures benefiting Taiwan, ensuring solid service guarantees to allow Taiwan compatriots to invest and develop in the province.