Overseas Chinese in the US are being urged to contribute to the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and play more of a role in the rejuvenation of Chinese nation.

More than 100 representatives from 15 chapters of the Washington-based National Association for Chinese Peaceful Unification (NACPU), as well as officials from China gathered on Saturday in San Francisco for the organization's annual joint conference. Participants discussed the role of overseas Chinese in unifying the motherland and boosting Chinese development.

Since the new leader of Taiwan took office this year, the good relationship that had been maintained between both sides across the Taiwan Straits for eight years has been greatly impeded and the interests of the Taiwan people have been jeopardized, said Ran Wanxiang, vice-president of the China Overseas Friendship Association.

He told the conference that Beijing would adhere to the 1992 Consensus and firmly oppose "Taiwan independence", despite the change in Taiwan's leadership. He also said he expected overseas Chinese to take advantage of their resources to expand communication channels, promote Chinese culture and foster patriotism.

"The 5,000-year-old Chinese culture is the tie connecting all Chinese in the world," said Ran. "Overseas Chinese are expected to carry forward the Chinese culture and tell the Chinese story well."

He said China has realized outstanding economic development and also provides opportunities for the world. "Overseas Chinese are expected to integrate their individual development with serving the nation's great cause of rejuvenation," said Ran.

"As the world's largest two economies, the US and China have far more shared interests than differences. China can contribute to world peace by realizing her own development," he added.

The fate of the overseas Chinese has been closely tied with the motherland and they have been playing an important role in promoting the peaceful unification of the Chinese nation and China's economic development, said Huang Wentao, a communications director with the Taiwan Affairs Office of China's State Council.

"We have never been so close in history to the goal of reunifying the Chinese nation," he said. "The development and progress of the mainland provides the foundation for peaceful cross-Straits unification."

Huang reiterated that Beijing's principles and policies concerning Taiwan are consistent and will not change after the leadership changed.

"Although the road will not be smooth, the Chinese unification is inevitable. We will keep walking on the right road," he told the conference.

Zha Liyou, deputy Chinese consul in San Francisco, also attended the conference. He said the whole Chinese nation, including the people of Taiwan, will benefit from the Chinese unification and rejuvenation, which is the shared goal of the people across the Straits and all the overseas Chinese.

Congjiang Wang contributed to the story.

liazhu@chinadailyusa.com