Chen Shui-bian's stubborn adherence to the "Taiwan independence" stance over the last six years has hindered cross-Straits exchanges, a mainland spokesman reiterated on Wednesday.

Li Weiyi, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said Chen had repeatedly provoked confrontation, which had hampered the development of cross-Straits relations.

"The people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits are the same flesh and blood of the Chinese nation," he said.

"It is the common aspiration of people on both sides to intensify their exchanges and cooperation and realize common prosperity," he said.

Source: Xinhua